Chapter 187: The Third Miss's Mole, Making a Fox-Fur Coat for the Senior Sister

The carriage crunched through the snow.

Inside the carriage, a brazier was placed, and the warmth swirled, dispelling some of the chill.

Bai Qingtong warmed her hands and looked at the person opposite her, saying, "Is the gentleman cold?"

Luo Zijun said, "It is fine."

Bai Qingtong rubbed her hands, paused, and said softly, "Although this marriage between you and my sister has its own purposes, I still hope that after you and my sister bow to heaven and earth, you can live well. If you can spend your days and nights together and cultivate feelings, becoming true lovers and husband and wife, that would naturally be best."

Luo Zijun was noncommittal.

Bai Qingtong sighed lightly: "Actually, my sister is quite pitiful. If that incident hadn't happened, she would have already married into Yujing and become the Crown Prince's consort."

Luo Zijun's gaze flickered.

As expected, there was a reason why Bai Daxiaojie suddenly had that incident.

Bai Qingtong looked at him and said, "My sister is disfigured; will the gentleman despise her?"

Luo Zijun said, "Third Miss worries too much. I am face-blind and cannot distinguish beauty from ugliness, and furthermore, I am not qualified to despise the eldest daughter of the Duke's mansion. If there is any despising, it would be the eldest daughter despising me."

Bai Qingtong smiled and said, "Does the gentleman really not distinguish beauty from ugliness?"

Luo Zijun said, "Yes."

Bai Qingtong said, "Then how did the gentleman take a fancy to that Liu girl? Just because she plays the zither well?"

Luo Zijun said, "Perhaps it is fate."

Bai Qingtong smiled and did not ask further. After a moment of silence, she said again, "The gentleman is a clever person and should have already guessed why my sister suddenly had that incident. Actually, many people have guessed it, but they have no evidence and cannot force the issue. Therefore, I hope that after you and my sister are married, you will keep your mouth shut about anything concerning her. Also, you must pretend to be a married couple convincingly."

Luo Zijun said, "I will certainly keep this in mind."

Bai Qingtong added, "Also, the gentleman need not worry. Although you are a matrilocal son-in-law, you can still take the imperial examinations in the future and enter an official career."

Luo Zijun nodded.

Bai Qingtong suddenly smiled again: "If my eldest brother knew about you, I don't know how angry he would be. The gentleman tricked the Liu girl he dreamed of into his hands, and now you have also tricked the prettiest sister in his family. Thinking about it, he is quite pitiful."

Luo Zijun said earnestly, "It is not trickery; it is fate."

Bai Qingtong smiled: "Speaking of fate, I suddenly remembered, the gentleman seems to know how to tell fortunes. Could you help me calculate mine?"

She then smiled again: "As for the fortune-telling fee, the gentleman can just ask my sister for it later; it doesn't matter if you ask for more."

Luo Zijun said, "Third Miss's fate should be too good; I cannot see it for the time being. When a person's fate is too good and their fortune is flourishing, it will cover up all the holes in their destiny, and those holes are not worth mentioning."

Bai Qingtong did not believe him and said, "Then why could the gentleman calculate the fortunes of this sister and that sister in the Jia Mansion?"

Luo Zijun said, "That is because their fates are riddled with holes; they are too broken, and they will always reveal some heavenly secrets, allowing people to peek at them. It is like a luxurious robe; a very small hole might not be noticed by others, but some very large holes will always be seen by someone."

Bai Qingtong's expression shifted, and she said, "Can the gentleman really see their fates? But why are their fates all riddled with holes? Yingchun is so kind and honest, Tanchun is so clever and intelligent, Lin Meimei is peerless in talent and beauty and makes people pity her, and Yun'er is frank and cute; why, in the gentleman's eyes, are their fates not very good?"

Luo Zijun was silent for a moment and said, "Perhaps I calculated wrong. Third Miss does not need to overthink it; I just calculated it on a whim and it should not be taken seriously."

Bai Qingtong looked at him with a serious gaze: "But Yingchun's fate was not only calculated by you in advance, but it was also very accurate, even down to knowing the other person's surname. If it weren't for the gentleman's reminder in advance, Yingchun might have already married over there by now. With that person's lecherous and cruel nature, Yingchun's fate would very likely be just as the gentleman said: meeting the Yellow Springs in a year."

Luo Zijun said, "Perhaps, only that one was correct."

Bai Qingtong looked at him deeply, suddenly extended a jade hand, and said, "Gentleman, help me calculate my marriage. When the time comes, I will be like my sister and take in a son-in-law; I will not marry out."

Luo Zijun glanced at the hand she extended and said, "Why is Third Miss extending her hand?"

Bai Qingtong smiled: "Don't fortune-tellers on the street all look at hands?"

Luo Zijun said, "I do not look at hands."

Bai Qingtong said, "Then what does the gentleman look at?"

After she finished speaking, she seemed to suddenly think of something; two blushes rose on her clear and fair face, and she said, "Look at a mole?"

Luo Zijun glanced at her face and hand, and said, "Where is Third Miss's mole?"

Bai Qingtong did not answer, and her cheeks turned even redder.

Hua'er, who was to the side, also blushed instantly; her lips moved, as if she wanted to speak, but she held back.

Bai Qingtong hesitated again, then suddenly bent down, preparing to take off the boot on her left foot, and said with her head lowered, "On my foot, a butterfly."

Luo Zijun was stunned and quickly said, "Third Miss does not need to take it off; I do not look at moles either."

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingtong raised her head and said with blushing cheeks, "Then why did the gentleman ask where the mole was?"

Luo Zijun was somewhat embarrassed: "Just curious..."

Bai Qingtong pursed her lips and looked at him, saying nothing more.

Luo Zijun quickly said, "Third Miss's eyebrows are like distant mountains, your eyes shine with divine light, your nose is like jade, your mouth is like a cherry, and there is a butterfly on your jade foot; you will certainly find a desirable husband in the future. At the very least, your marriage will be a thousand or ten thousand times better than the eldest daughter's."

Bai Qingtong giggled and said, "The gentleman just said you don't look at moles."

Luo Zijun said, "One can choose not to look at moles, but if there is a mole, it is naturally even better."

At this moment, the carriage had already arrived at the entrance of the Jia Mansion.

Bai Qingtong rolled her eyes at him and said, "Just keep prevaricating. When you see Zhang Meimei, Wang Meimei, and Lin Meimei in the Jia Mansion later, let's see if you still prevaricate."

Luo Zijun asked in confusion, "Where would the Jia Mansion have a Zhang Meimei and a Wang Meimei?"

Bai Qingtong smiled: "Look, you only remember Lin Meimei."

As the two were talking, they got off the carriage.

Someone had already gone inside to report at the entrance.

Before long, Jia She's page boy was the first to run out, coming before Luo Zijun with a face full of obsequious smiles, and said respectfully, "Young Master Luo, my master went out this morning and has not yet returned. Please go inside to drink tea first; I will go find my master immediately."

This page boy naturally knew that this Young Master Luo was the master's honored guest, and Jia She had also instructed that as long as this Young Master Luo came to the Jia Mansion, he must be notified immediately.

Luo Zijun said, "I came here today just to visit Baoyu Gongzi, so there is no need to call for Master Jia."

The page boy quickly said, "Yes."

However, after Luo Zijun and Bai Qingtong walked up the steps, the page boy immediately went to fetch a horse and left in a flash.

Jia Tanchun heard the news and soon came out to greet them.

In front of everyone, Luo Zijun naturally said he was here to visit Jia Baoyu, but in front of this Jia San Xiaojie, there was no need to hide it anymore.

He said in a low voice, "Third Miss Tanchun, I have some matters to discuss with Miss Yingchun."

Jia Tanchun nodded, held Bai Qingtong's hand, and smiled, "Qingtong, let's go, let's go to the back courtyard. Is this Young Master Luo here to find Brother Baoyu? Come to the back courtyard together."

After the group entered the mansion and walked through the long corridor, Jia Tanchun instructed the maids and nannies behind them to leave, keeping only two senior maids.

She whispered to Cuimo, "Go tell the Second Sister to go to the Pear Garden in the back, and just say that Young Master Luo has arrived. Remember, tell her quietly; don't let those nannies of hers hear."

Cuimo agreed and left immediately.

Only then did Jia Tanchun look at Luo Zijun and say in a low voice, "Because Yingchun cried to the Old Ancestor last time, saying she wanted to move out, the Old Ancestor has had her watched closely. As for Baoyu, Young Master Luo won't be able to see him today either; after being caned by his father last time, he is currently locked in his room studying."

Luo Zijun said, "I came today only to see Miss Yingchun; whether I see Baoyu Gongzi or not is of no consequence."

Jia Tanchun chuckled, "Is Young Master Luo afraid again that he will cling to you and grab your hands?"

Luo Zijun said, "I am a bit afraid."

As soon as these words were spoken, Bai Qingtong, who was beside them, also laughed.

Jia Tanchun turned her back and laughed for a while, then said, "Young Master Luo, let's go, let's go to the Pear Garden together; several of the younger sisters are there building snowmen and having a snowball fight."

Luo Zijun said, "Is it convenient?"

He knew that in the back courtyards of such families, when the female relatives were playing, let alone a strange man, even the adult men of the mansion would try their best to avoid the area.

Jia Tanchun said, "It's fine, there is no one else on the path. If anyone asks, just say you are looking for Baoyu. Everyone at the Pear Garden is one of our own; they won't go around talking nonsense."

The group walked out of the long corridor, passed through a winding veranda in a garden, and after passing through several stone gates, finally arrived at the Pear Garden.

As soon as they entered the gate, they heard the sounds of young girls laughing, chasing, and chirping like orioles and swallows coming from the nearby woods.

Luo Zijun looked up and saw that in the woods, young girls in their prime, wearing clothing of red, yellow, purple, and blue, were chasing each other and throwing snowballs.

Among them, a flash of red was the most eye-catching.

She had a slender figure, was wrapped in a thick red cloak with a fur collar, and was holding a snowball, panting as she hid behind a large tree. Her little face was flushed, and her laughter was exceptionally crisp, like wind chimes in the morning breeze.

A snowball from Shi Xiangyun's hand suddenly hit her in the face, and her delicate, fragile body swayed like a young willow in the wind before she fell to the ground.

Zijuan, Xueyan, and Chunxian, who were nearby, hurried over to help her up, protect her, and help her fight back.

Shi Xiangyun giggled as she ran away.

She got up from the ground, panting as she chased after her, and said crossly, "Yun'er, you are not allowed to run!" Bai Qingtong withdrew her gaze, turned her head, and looked at someone behind her.

Luo Zijun also happened to withdraw his gaze and looked at her.

A playful expression appeared on Bai Qingtong's face as she said, "Who was the gentleman looking at just now?"

Luo Zijun pointed to the pavilion over there and said, "Someone is sewing clothes there."

Jia Tanchun took a look and smiled, "That is Qingwen. That girl also loves excitement; she was originally in her room sewing, but upon hearing that there was a snowball fight here, she immediately brought her sewing over."

Luo Zijun suddenly remembered that Qingwen was not only the most beautiful maid in the Jia Mansion, but her needlework skills were also extremely high, and she was particularly adept at mending clothes.

That day when he went to Bao'an Hall, he saw it was snowing outside, yet his Senior Sister was still wearing thin clothing. He had originally thought about making a garment for her, and now, seeing Bai Third Miss wearing this snow-white fox fur, which looked extremely beautiful, he thought it would look even better on his Senior Sister.

So at this moment, he was thinking about having a fox fur garment made for his Senior Sister to keep out the cold.

"Third Miss, Miss Tanchun, you go ahead and have your snowball fight. I will go sit in that pavilion over there and wait for Miss Yingchun."

He said this to the two young ladies in front of him and walked toward the pavilion.

!

As a strange man, it was naturally inappropriate for him to go and join those noble young ladies in a snowball fight.

Jia Tanchun pulled Bai Qingtong and smiled, "Qingtong, let's go play."

Bai Qingtong glanced at the pavilion, nodded, and said, "Let's go."

In the pavilion, Qingwen, with her slender figure, was wearing a blue jacket and green skirt, head bowed as she mended a cloak. She would occasionally look up at the woods, her pretty face full of smiles.

She had not yet noticed Luo Zijun when he walked up close.

It was not until Luo Zijun spoke: "Miss Qingwen, long time no see."

Qingwen was startled by him, and upon seeing it was him, she said in surprise, "Young Master Luo, why have you come here?"

Luo Zijun said, "I came over with Miss Qingtong; she went to have a snowball fight."

Qingwen was stunned, looked into the woods, then looked at him, and said in a crisp voice, "Young Master Luo, this is a place for female relatives; you shouldn't have come here. If those nannies and mistresses find out, they will all be angry."

Luo Zijun looked outside the pavilion and said, "It's fine, Miss Tanchun brought me in."

Seeing that there was no one else in the pavilion, just the two of them, a man and a woman alone, Qingwen felt somewhat uncomfortable and stood up, preparing to take her leave.

Luo Zijun said, "I came specifically to find you; I have a favor to ask of you."

Qingwen was taken aback upon hearing this, her face full of confusion as she said, "Please speak, Young Master Luo."

Luo Zijun looked at the cloak in her hands and said, "I heard that Miss Qingwen's needlework is excellent and that you are very skilled at sewing clothes. I would like to ask you to help me sew a fox fur garment; the payment is negotiable."

"This..."

Upon hearing this, Qingwen was immediately in a difficult position and said, "Young Master Luo, this servant is a maid of the Jia Mansion. If I sew clothes, I can only sew for the young masters and misses of the Jia Mansion. You..."

Luo Zijun said, "I know this request is somewhat offensive and rude, but I cannot think of a better person for the task at the moment. If you are afraid of others gossiping, I can go speak to Baoyu first, and then speak to Miss Tanchun and the others."

Qingwen still dared not agree.

As an unmarried young maid, if she were to sew clothes for a strange man outside the mansion, she didn't know what people would say about her if they found out.

"Young Master Luo, this matter..."

"Young Master Luo!"

At this moment, Jia Yingchun walked over from the nearby veranda.

She only brought her maid Siqi behind her. Because she had walked too quickly, her cheeks were flushed, but she had a very happy expression on her face.

Qingwen breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly took the opportunity to take her leave.

"Young Master Luo, it is very cold outside, this servant will head back first."

After saying this, she immediately gathered her clothes and sewing kit and left in a hurry.

At this time, Jia Tanchun came over from the opposite side, and upon meeting her, asked in a low voice: "What did Young Master Luo say to you?"

Qingwen's face flushed slightly, and she said, "Young Master Luo wants to ask this servant to help him sew a fox-fur coat, and he even said he would give this servant a reward."

Jia Tanchun was stunned upon hearing this and said, "Sew a fox-fur coat?"

Qingwen said, "Yes, this servant never imagined that Young Master Luo would have such a request. If this servant were to sew it for him, there is no telling how others might gossip about this servant."

After saying this, she took her leave and departed.

Jia Tanchun stood there thinking for a while, then headed toward the pavilion in front.

In the pavilion, Luo Zijun was saying to Jia Yingchun, "If it is inconvenient, it does not matter; I only came to let you know."

Jia Yingchun hurriedly said, "Young Master Luo, I will go and speak to Grandmother later. If Grandmother still does not agree, I... I will just sneak out myself."

At this moment, Jia Tanchun walked over and said with a smile, "You mustn't sneak out; if the Old Ancestor finds out, how heartbroken she would be."

Jia Yingchun looked at her and said anxiously, "Tanchun, I want to move out. It just so happens that Young Master Luo said I could go to Chujian Bookstore and live with Liu."

Jia Tanchun's eyes flickered, and she said, "Live with Liu? That daughter of Minister Liu, Young Master Luo's sweetheart?"

Fearing she might misunderstand, Luo Zijun hurriedly explained, "Recently, that person from the Bowang Marquis Mansion has been coming over to cause trouble, so I wanted to let Young Lady Yingchun go over and live there for a while."

Jia Tanchun frowned and said, "That Young Lady Wan is still pestering you?"

She pondered for a moment and said, "For this matter, we still need to ask the Old Ancestor. Young Master Luo, rest assured, Chujian Bookstore is not far, and since that Liu is the daughter of Minister Liu, if we speak about it properly, the Old Ancestor should agree."

Luo Zijun said, "Then many thanks to Young Lady Tanchun."

Jia Tanchun smiled slightly and suddenly asked, "I just heard from Qingwen that Young Master Luo wanted to ask her to help sew a fox-fur coat?"

Luo Zijun felt a bit awkward and said, "I saw her sewing clothes just now and, on a whim, I spoke up. Now I also feel it was too presumptuous and rude; just pretend I never mentioned it."

Jia Tanchun laughed, "What are you saying, Young Master Luo? You saved Sister Yingchun, and we still don't know how to repay you; it is just a piece of clothing. Whatever style you want, Young Master Luo, just tell me, and I will have Qingwen make it. Also, Young Master Luo might not know, but Xiangyun is also very good at sewing clothes. If Qingwen is unwilling, just let Xiangyun make it for you; Xiangyun would be more than happy to."

Luo Zijun hesitated for a moment and said, "I would like to make a white fox-fur coat for a woman; as for the style, one like the one Young Lady Bai Qingtong is wearing would be fine."

"A woman's fox-fur coat?"

Jia Tanchun was stunned upon hearing this and couldn't help but laugh, "I thought Young Master Luo wanted to make it for yourself. If you had said earlier that it was for a woman, that girl Qingwen wouldn't have blushed and fled in such a panic."

Luo Zijun said, "My fault, my fault."

Jia Tanchun asked again, "How tall is the person? Is she plump or thin? How broad are her shoulders?"

Luo Zijun said, "About as tall as Young Lady Xiangyun, very slim, with a figure like Young Lady Tanchun's, and her shoulders are also very slender, only... only..."

"Only what?"

Jia Tanchun asked.

Luo Zijun said, "Nothing, that part doesn't affect it, it is worn on the back anyway."

Jia Tanchun was taken aback, then suddenly realized, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she laughed, "Young Master Luo still needs to give a rough idea; how can clothes only be worn on the back? It is not necessarily just draped; if it is too cold, the front must also be fastened."

A look of embarrassment appeared on Luo Zijun's face, and he could only say, "Make the front larger; it would be best if it were twice as large as that fox-fur coat of Young Lady Bai Qingtong's."

Jia Tanchun turned her head to glance at Bai Qingtong, who was walking over from the veranda, her mouth twitched, and she looked back at him and said, "Are you sure?"

Luo Zijun nodded.

Jia Tanchun was somewhat puzzled and couldn't help but say, "That night, I also saw that Liu, and I feel it shouldn't be... that large..."

"It is not her."

Luo Zijun was also a bit embarrassed and said, "It is someone else, really... it needs to be made larger."

Jia Tanchun did not speak again.

Luo Zijun suddenly added, "By the way, Young Lady Tanchun, does your mansion have any snow-colored fox fur?"

Before Jia Tanchun could reply, Bai Qingtong, who had walked over, said, "What does Sir need fox fur for? We have one piece left at the Bai Mansion, originally intended to be given away as a gift; if Sir needs it, I will give it to you."

Jia Tanchun hurriedly said, "I happen to have a fox-fur coat there that is almost finished; I will have Qingwen help modify it tomorrow. When the time comes, we will have her try it on first, and if it doesn't fit, we can take it back and modify it."

Bai Qingtong said, "Sir wants to give a fox-fur coat to someone else? That Liu?"

Before Luo Zijun could answer, Jia Tanchun whispered, "It is... larger... than Liu's..."

Bai Qingtong: "?"

Jia Tanchun whispered again, "Twice as large... as yours..."

Luo Zijun: "..."

(End of this chapter)