Chapter 893: Disaster Approaches the Noble House

Rongguo Prefecture, Rongqing Hall.

The maids, in red jackets and green coats, were bright and colorful, their figures graceful as they moved like flowers swaying in the breeze, pouring tea, refilling cups, and arranging pastries and fruits.

Lady Li of the Marquis Zhongjing mentioned the matter of Jia Cong, but as it involved vital military and state affairs, she did not know the underlying details.

It would have been better not to speak of it; speaking only added to the anxiety. Although Jia Mu had her doubts, she let it pass after hearing it, and it did not weigh on her mind for long.

Yingchun and the other sisters were filled with worry. Jia Cong had only been on the expedition for two days, and suddenly he was sending a letter to the Divine Capital in the middle of the night. Could it be that he had encountered some difficulty?

Lin Daiyu thought of how she had tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep peacefully. Could it be that her third brother had encountered trouble, and she had actually sensed it?

Shi Xiangyun was also very worried in her heart. Although her third brother was a bit of a blockhead who didn't understand her feelings at all, she hoped he would not encounter any risks.

Later, when she went home with her aunt, she would carefully ask her second uncle for the details. Even if it were a matter of military and state affairs, she could act spoiled and sweet-talk her second uncle into telling her.

Yingchun was also somewhat restless. She happened to think the same as Xiangyun; she would go home today and carefully ask the second master of the Shi family...

Although Seeing Tan Chun was also somewhat worried, she thought that her third brother was capable of handling great matters, and even if he encountered some difficulty, he would surely have the ability to resolve it easily.

Moreover, he was still sending a letter to Second Uncle Shi, which didn't sound too critical, so there was no need to be overly worried.

Although Baochai felt uneasy upon hearing this, since neither Yingchun nor Seeing Tan Chun had asked, it was even less appropriate for her, a girl from an outside family, to pursue the matter.

Only Xichun was still too young to understand; she just picked up the pastries and fruits from the plate and stuffed them into her little mouth in an orderly fashion, quite content with herself.

Just as the sisters were lost in their own thoughts, the wife of Lin Zhixiao came to pass on a message: "The wife and young lady of the Xia family have arrived, and have already entered the second gate with the second wife and Bao Er Ye."

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she tugged at Yingchun's sleeve.

Yingchun was also a sharp-witted person; she knew that it would be fine if Baoyu encountered other sisters.

But he had coveted Lin Meimei since childhood, and even though they were now betrothed, he still found it hard to abandon his lewd thoughts. Whenever he saw Lin Meimei, he would show off and say ambiguous things.

Yingchun naturally felt extremely uncomfortable in her heart, because she knew that her brother had a serious, special regard for Lin Meimei, and in the future, he would likely bring about a good outcome for them.

As a sister, she naturally protected her own, and she was always very attentive to Daiyu in her daily life. Seeing Daiyu's reaction, how could she not know her thoughts? It was exactly what she had expected.

She stood up and said, "Grandmother, today is the fifteenth of the first lunar month, and guests will be coming from the East Prefecture as well. Since Third Brother Cong is away on an expedition, I fear that only female guests will be coming."

If we sisters all sit here, it would be neglectful to the outside guests. Let Third Sister and Cloud Sister stay behind to keep Grandmother and the wives company.

I will take Lin Meimei over to manage things; she is better at talking to those steward wives and young ladies than I am, and she won't diminish Third Brother Cong's face or etiquette."

Jia Mu smiled and said, "Where would you find such a large mansion? Today is a major festival, and it won't do to have no one in charge. Just go and manage things; you can come back when you are free."

Xichun, who was bored on the side and found the elders' small talk uninteresting, hurriedly jumped off her chair upon hearing that Yingchun was leaving, shouting that she wanted to go back together.

Yingchun took Xichun's hand, and with Daiyu waiting behind her, they left the hall. Just as they reached the entrance, they saw the door curtain being lifted.

Lady Wang and Baoyu entered, followed by Lady Xia and the young lady of the Xia family, along with their personal maids—a whole crowd of people.

Yingchun and Daiyu bowed to Lady Wang, and only after they had entered the hall did they lift the curtain and leave.

When Baoyu saw Daiyu, his gaze became fixed, and he said with a bitter face, "Lin Meimei, I have only just arrived, why are you leaving already?"

Daiyu acted as if she hadn't heard him, quickened her pace, reached out to take Xichun's other hand, and followed her out with quick steps.

When the young lady of the Xia family saw Baoyu's dazed expression, seeing him stare blankly at the one surnamed Lin, his soul half-gone, looking so base—she didn't even feel ashamed!

That Miss Lin looked at Baoyu as if she had seen a ghost, almost lifting her skirt to run away. It was clear that her disdain for Baoyu was well-founded.

Any girl who wasn't blind would like such a sissy, effeminate character? Only someone like Cong Ge'er was truly exciting.

I heard he just led troops on an expedition to the north to beat up the Mongol Tatars. He can win the top rank in the imperial examinations and lead an army with a sword in his hand—that is a true man who stands tall.

Baoyu, this sissy, spineless coward, this lecherous, base character, isn't even worth the mud on Cong Ge'er's shoe soles!

Seeing that Daiyu had left in a hurry just as he entered the hall, and that she ignored him when he spoke and walked away without looking back, Baoyu felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart.

He suddenly realized with a start that it must be because he had brought the young lady of the Xia family today, making Lin Meimei feel bitter in her heart, which was why she was in such a rush to hide away.

He truly deserved to die; he didn't understand Lin Meimei's deep affection, but what could he do? The orders of his parents and the words of the matchmaker—he was also constrained by filial piety...

Both the young lady of the Xia family and Lin Meimei were rare beauties of the boudoir; it was too difficult to choose between them. Why did Heaven always have to torture him? It truly left him helpless.

But by comparison, Lin Meimei was still better than the young lady of the Xia family; after all, they had grown up in the same mansion since childhood, and this sisterly bond was extraordinary.

Moreover, in this past year, Lin Meimei had grown even more beautiful, having grown much taller, her figure and posture as graceful as a fairy—truly not losing to the young lady of the Xia family.

Recalling Daiyu's graceful and moving back as she left the hall, Baoyu felt a heat rise in his heart. Even though the young lady of the Xia family was by his side, he couldn't help but ask.

He said, "Grandmother, why did Second Sister and Lin Meimei leave just as we arrived?"

Jia Mu smiled casually, "Today is the fifteenth of the first lunar month. Cong Ge'er has many friends and colleagues in official circles, so naturally, many guests will be visiting.

It just so happens that Cong Ge'er has led troops on an expedition. The male guests might not come, but the female relatives of the family will be familiar enough to visit. It's just the way of the world in great families.

Second Girl needs to return to the mansion to manage affairs, lest she neglect the outside guests. Many of the guests coming are wives and young ladies of civil officials. Your Lin Meimei is well-read and sensible; it is best for her to help entertain the guests."

Jia Mu looked as if she were speaking casually, but in fact, she was speaking quite carefully, with more than a hint of showing off.

Even if she wasn't very close to Jia Cong, her grandson Jia Cong was the face of the Jia family, a truth Jia Mu understood very clearly.

In front of these outside relatives of the Xia family, she naturally had to bring up the topic to bolster their face, letting this future granddaughter-in-law know how noble the Jia family was and how glorious the women of the Jia family were.

Hearing Jia Mu's words, Baoyu felt truly disgusted. A sour feeling rose straight from his crown, and he felt an indescribable, twisted discomfort in his heart.

He had originally thought that because he had brought the young lady of the Xia family, Lin Meimei felt uncomfortable in her heart. Since his cousin had always been prone to petty jealousy since childhood, Baoyu even felt secretly proud in his heart.

He hadn't expected that he had guessed wrong, and that Lin Meimei had left in such a hurry just to help Jia Cong entertain guests and bolster his face. How could she not care about her own dignity?

Baoyu felt bitter and pained, and couldn't help but say, "Third Brother Cong has guests at his mansion, so it is only right and proper for Second Sister to go and entertain them.

Lin Meimei is, after all, an outside relative; how can it be right to trouble her to entertain guests? She should be here keeping Grandmother company."

Hearing this, Lady Li of the Marquis Zhongjing couldn't help but glance at Baoyu, feeling somewhat contemptuous in her heart.

Her aunt had pampered Baoyu the most in her life, but this indulgence had been wasted; she had spoiled him into having no sense of the situation.

Even a fool could hear the pride in her aunt's words just now. It was human nature for an old person to show off the prestige of their children and grandchildren.

Yet this Baoyu had to sing a different tune here, talking about outside relatives and inside relatives—as if he understood the ways of the world better than us elders.

Apart from Baoyu, her aunt loved this granddaughter the most; she shouldn't have spoken of "outside relatives" to her face. Was Baoyu truly clever, or was he truly stupid...

Seeing Tan Chun and Baochai had heard Baoyu's strange remarks many times and knew that arguing was useless, so they acted as if they hadn't heard and just continued their own small talk.

Only Shi Xiangyun, after that incident, felt angry whenever she saw Baoyu, and subconsciously wanted to jump up and retort, as if possessed.

Seeing Baoyu acting up again—clearly not a smart person, yet thinking himself particularly insightful, always picking faults in others.

He must have felt no restraint now that Third Brother had left the house, daring to pick faults with the East Prefecture. Shi Xiangyun immediately felt very upset.

But with the elders in the hall, she couldn't speak harshly to prick him, but she was quick-witted, with a cheerful and bold personality, so this didn't stump her.

She smiled and said, "Second Brother, those words are wrong. Talking about outside relatives and inside relatives is too distant. I don't have the surname Jia either; am I not an outside relative?

But we sisters have been with Third Brother since childhood, just like real sisters; we have never distinguished between inside and outside.

Lin Jiejie and Third Brother are childhood sweethearts, well-read in poetry and books, full of talent, and she is the daughter of Lin Tanhua—they are a perfect match for Third Brother.

With Third Brother away on an expedition, Lin Jiejie accompanying Second Sister to help Third Brother entertain female guests is both proper and dignified—it couldn't be more appropriate.

Moreover, helping Third Brother entertain guests is not the first time for Lin Jiejie; we sisters are all accustomed to it. Only Second Brother would make a fuss about it.

If it weren't for the fact that Aunt is here today and I need to keep Grandmother and Aunt company, I would also go to the East Prefecture to entertain guests. The official female relatives who are coming are all outstanding.

Looking at how Lin Jiejie hurried over, you can tell that the people coming are extraordinary—all of them are talented and beautiful, rare gems of the boudoir, each one very eye-catching."

Hearing Xiangyun's last sentence, which almost mimicked Baoyu's tone and was very teasing and playful, Baochai almost laughed out loud.

She couldn't help but feel strange in her heart: Cloud Sister had been very strange lately. Whenever Baoyu spoke with any flaws, Cloud Sister would seize upon them and retort relentlessly.

How exactly had Baoyu offended her to make her so unrelenting...

Hearing Xiangyun's words, Lady Li of the Marquis Zhongjing couldn't help but smile bitterly in her heart. This wild girl had no sense of calculation and didn't know how to measure her words.

You retort if you want to retort, but by describing Miss Lin and Cong Ge'er as such a perfect match, what place is left for you? Aren't you afraid of lifting a rock only to drop it on your own feet?

Baoyu heard Xiangyun's voice, crisp and pleasant like an oriole chirping, and she even said that Jia Cong and Daiyu were childhood sweethearts and a perfect match—it was truly excessive. ===== CHAPTER 894 =====