Chapter 103: Daiyu's Cold Heart

The scene fell silent for a moment! No one expected Jia Baoyu to spring this move!

One must know that this jade's status in the Jia family is supreme!

It is the treasured lifeline of Jia Mu, Lady Wang and the others!

Each time Jia Baoyu smashes the jade, it triggers an earthquake in the Jia Mansion.

The original text clearly records that when Miss Lin first entered the Jia Mansion,

Jia Baoyu gave her a harsh lesson by smashing the jade; as soon as he struck it, the crowd, frightened, rushed to seize the jade.

If anything happened to this jade, Jia Mu and Lady Wang would blame it, and no one could bear the responsibility.

At this moment, everyone was stunned by Jia Baoyu's act of smashing the jade.

Xi Ren and the others, faces full of terror, hurriedly bent down to pick it up; even Xichun, who was playing with Xiao Jiaoer nearby, was at a loss and instinctively tried to grab the jade.

Tan Chun, Yingchun and the others also came over with worried expressions, offering counsel.

Lin Daiyu, who had been joking with Shi Xiangyun, felt a bitter pang, turned pale, and tears instantly fell.

She could say this scene was etched into her bones; when she first came to the Jia Mansion, she was young, cautious in every detail, daring not to overstep at all.

When Jia Baoyu asked whether there was jade, she replied simply "no", and Jia Baoyu instantly erupted in anger and smashed the jade.

That was a scene she would never forget; the previously benevolent Jia Mu and the others immediately changed expression, leaving her uneasy and terrified.

She then learned that there is an absolute taboo in the Jia Mansion: Jia Baoyu must not smash the jade.

It also taught her to watch Jia Baoyu's mood and not provoke him excessively.

Now, Jia Baoyu has come again with such an act.

Know that this is in her room; if Jia Mu and the others learn of it, how could she conduct herself?

Lin Daiyu wept:

"Why do you persist, you smash that mute object. If you have something to smash, why not smash me instead."

Baoyu felt angry, his round face showing grief and fury, still intending to snatch the jade from Xi Ren's hand to continue smashing, and shouted angrily:

"I smash my own thing; what does it have to do with you!"

"You all now favor your Third Brother, and no longer keep this Second Brother of mine in mind."

"Every day it's just some mundane sayings about study, official career, economics! What's so great about being an official? It's nothing but the pursuit of fame and profit, a traitor and parasite of the state!"

While saying that, he turned to Lin Daiyu with a plaintive tone:

"I originally thought you were a confidante, but I didn't expect you've changed, always babbling about Third Brother, and now we are estranged!"

"When you first arrived, wasn't it me who kept you company in jest? Whatever you wanted, I gave; whatever I loved to eat, when I heard you also liked it, I promptly cleaned it up spotless, waiting for you to return."

"One table for meals, one bed for sleep. The maids couldn't imagine; I feared you'd be angry, so I thought on behalf of the maids."

"I thought: sisters grow up from childhood, whether close or distant, when harmony reaches its peak, only then can we be better than others."

"Now who expects the lady to be magnanimous, not regard me, but instead place some 'Jing Third Brother' from the outer world on their heart."

"I have no biological brothers, only two sisters; don't you know they are my half‑sisters?"

"I am also alone with you, only fearing that your heart is like mine. Who knows I have wasted this feeling, with no place to vent!"

Jia Baoyu's words made everyone present change expression, especially Tan Chun's face turned pale, never expecting Jia Baoyu thought of himself this way.

"You!" Lin Daiyu, publicly accused by Jia Baoyu, felt her heart full of bitterness.

She never had her mouth full of Third Brother; it was Xiang Yun who mentioned him, and she only replied with a sentence.

In her heart, Third Brother is someone capable and caring for the sisters in the house, thus she respects him a few degrees.

And Baoyu, who has been a companion since childhood, in terms of affection is actually a few degrees closer than Third Brother.

She did not expect Jia Baoyu to misunderstand her so, not only smashing the jade in her room, but also arbitrarily and unjustly accusing her, saying nonsensical things.

She never imagined Baoyu would be so incomprehending, thinking of her this way in his heart…

Moreover, Jia Baoyu said that officials are traitors and parasites; doesn't that also condemn his father Lin Ruhai? Insulting one's own parent is extremely disrespectful!

In an instant, Daiyu felt her heart freeze to the extreme!

Thinking back to when she was in Jiangnan, while her mother was still alive, how happy and carefree she was!

Now, living under someone else's roof, everywhere becomes a talking point for others…

Lin Daiyu's inner fire burned, and in a moment of sorrow she cried out:

"Third Brother is also a senior brother in the mansion; he cares for us younger sisters, and we care for him—what's wrong with that!"

"If you feel estranged, just let go, why find such a reason to provoke me!"

"No need for a long or short period, smashing the jade to annoy me; from now on, don't come to my courtyard, and I won't dare disturb you!"

Jia Baoyu, hearing this, grew even more angry, repeatedly saying:

"Alright, alright! I knew you only have Third Brother in your heart; I was just recognizing you in vain!"

Saying that, he again went to smash the jade.

Beside them, Xi Ren saw Jia Baoyu's face turn yellow with anger, his eyebrows change, never so angry before, and held his hand that was grabbing the jade, urging urgently:

"If you quarrel with the sister, don't go smashing; if you break it, how could she face it with her heart and face?"

Lin Daiyu, while crying, heard these words hit her heart, showing that Baoyu was even worse than Xi Ren, and she sobbed even more.

Her heart filled with grief, and with a "cough" she actually spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Miss!"

"Lin Sister!"

"Lin Elder Sister!"

"Miss Lin!"

The scene became even more chaotic.

Zi Juan hurried up to support Daiyu, wiping Daiyu's mouth corner with a handkerchief, the crimson staining the cloth with speckles; Xueyan rushed in to gently pat Daiyu's back.

Zijuan, tears on her face, comforted Daiyu, saying:

"Although you're angry, miss, you really ought to take care of yourself. These past days you've just been unwell, and you've only just gotten better after taking medicine."

"Just now, after quarreling with Bao Er Ye, you vomited blood again. If something happens, what shall we do?"

Jia Baoyu also felt a little panicked at this moment; seeing Lin Daiyu vomit blood, her face turned pallid.

One line sobbing, one line choking with anger, one line tears, one line sweat, overcome with frailty, also couldn't help shedding tears.

Everyone present busied themselves either consoling Jia Baoyu or attending to Lin Daiyu; in a moment, an uproar arose.

The servant women who had followed the masters into the room, seeing such a commotion, all went off in different directions to report the news.

Among them, the wet nurse Xia who had followed Jia Baoyu first sent someone to report to Jia Mu's courtyard, while she herself hurriedly ran toward Lady Wang's courtyard.

Meanwhile, Jia Huan, having lost Tan Chun's restraint, glanced at Jia Baoyu, Lin Daiyu, and the others, then shifted his eyes and also slipped out of the room, running off……