Rongguo Mansion, Lixiangyuan.

Baochai listened to Baoyu’s talk. Although he did not say anything explicitly, his words actually contained criticisms of Jia Cong’s calligraphy.

This made Baochai feel a little strangely ashamed, but she was too lazy to say anything back.

It was quite ridiculous that such an absurd thing was worth arguing between her and Baoyu, and it also seemed to defile Jia Cong. For a moment, Baochai felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

When Baoyu saw that Baochai did not refute him, he felt that what she said made sense, and his interest gradually increased, and his spirits became somewhat excited…

Ying’er, who was serving Baochai in the room, couldn’t stand it any longer, as she was a person who dared to speak out.

I couldn’t help but say, “How can Master Bao’s handwriting be compared to…”

Baochai was naturally familiar with the temperament of this personal maid who had been with her since childhood. When she heard her say the first half of the sentence, she knew that the second half would offend people.

In fact, even if Ying’er would offend Baoyu, Baochai wouldn’t care too much.

Who made Baoyu speak so absurdly and slander Jia Cong behind his back? Although his character is not flawed, he is shallow and overestimates his own abilities.

But Ying’er couldn’t help but say something hurtful, but Baochai interrupted her before she could finish her words.

“Ying’er, don’t just stand there, go make a cup of tea for Brother Bao.”

Ying’er had been with Baochai for so many years, so naturally they had a tacit understanding. When she heard the girl’s sudden interruption, she immediately understood what Baochai meant.

She hummed softly, then lifted the door curtain and left the room.

Baochai is not worried that Ying’er will offend Baoyu, but she is concerned about Mrs. Wang.

After all, although the relationship between my family and this aunt seems normal on the surface, it is actually much worse than before.

Moreover, his aunt still has the leverage over him and the Cong brothers.

That day, I was about to slip and Brother Cong was afraid that I would get hurt, so he hugged me…

Baochai still feels hot all over when she thinks of that beautiful day.

Although she had a clear conscience, she was afraid that Ying’er would speak rudely to Baoyu and let her aunt know that Baoyu was ridiculed by the maid.

Given her aunt’s extreme protection and doting on Baoyu, she must have been very resentful and felt that Baoyu had lost face.

If she felt vengeful because of this, she would shout out the “explosion” about herself and the Cong brothers.

Even if he and Brother Cong were innocent, once this matter became public, outsiders would not bother to investigate the truth.

A girl cannot wash herself clean even if she jumps into the Yellow River. Once her reputation is ruined, how can she live in the future?

At that moment, Baochai even had a thought in her mind: if her aunt wanted to make a fuss, she should let her do it, so that she wouldn’t have to worry all the time.

Brother Cong is a responsible person, he won’t ignore me…

But this extremely absurd thought just flashed through Baochai’s mind, making her flustered and she dared not think about it a second time.

When she saw Ying’er go out in a huff and ultimately not say anything unpleasant to Baoyu, she felt relieved, yet also a little inexplicably lost.

……

In the side room next to the main house, Ying’er was angrily making a cup of tea. Seeing that her face looked strange, Jin Chuan couldn’t help but walk over.

He asked, “Sister Ying’er, what’s wrong with you? Who made you angry?”

When Ying’er saw that it was Jinchuan, she was already very angry and wanted to find someone to talk to, so she whispered in her ear.

He said, “You said that Master Bao, I don’t know where the evil wind came from. He took out a piece of paper for no reason and came to tease our girl.

In front of our girl, he criticized Third Master Cong’s handwriting, saying it was not good. But it seemed that his handwriting was even better than Third Master Cong’s.

Everyone in the two mansions knew that if Master Bao had not been beaten and scolded by his aunt, he would have been able to read a few days of books a year, write a few words, and have the nerve to look down on Master San.

You didn’t see the situation. The girl’s face was very ugly, but he was still talking non-stop and had no sense of observation.”

When Jin Chuan heard this, she bit her lip in anger and said, “The mansion is no longer the same as before. He is still living in the West Mansion and he doesn’t keep quiet.

He always finds something to say to tease the Third Master every day, and thinks everyone else is good-natured, and wants everyone to please him like they did before.

Last time, on the great day when Third Master passed the imperial examination, he also said these nonsense, and he has made a fool of himself. Now he has not woken up.”

Jin Chuan took the tea that Ying’er had brewed, placed it on the black lacquer tray, and said, “I’ll go deliver the tea.”

Ying’er noticed that Jin Chuan looked unhappy and advised, “You may be angry, but don’t do anything stupid.

I can see that the young lady doesn’t want to offend him, probably because she is concerned about the concubine. You should not go against the young lady’s wishes.”

Jin Chuan brought the tea tray and said, “Don’t worry, Sister Ying’er, I know my limits.”

……

In the main room, Baoyu said excitedly: “Sister Bao, look at me writing these words. I put more strength on my wrist when I put the pen down, and there are twists and turns when I write horizontally…”

Baochai’s eyes kept looking at the painting of “Man Jiang Hong” on the wall. After listening to Baoyu’s boasting, her stomach twitched and her pretty face could hardly hold back.

Just as she saw the door curtain being lifted, it was Jin Chuan who came in carrying a tea tray. Baochai was puzzled, wondering why it was not Ying’er who brought in the tea?

When Baoyu saw Jinchuan bringing in tea, he couldn’t help but feel happy and forgot about Baochai for a moment.

Among Mrs. Wang’s maids, Jin Chuan was the prettiest.

Baoyu naturally liked to flirt with her because he thought she was beautiful, otherwise such a thing would not have happened.

Baoyu felt quite regretful ever since Jin Chuan was taken away by Baochai. And he felt even more sad when he saw that she treated him like a ferocious beast every time she saw him.

Now seeing her bring in tea, he was so happy that he forgot everything else and said with a smile, “Why bother you, sister, to bring me tea?”

Baochai couldn’t help but frown again when she heard Baoyu’s frivolous words.

After hearing what Baoyu said, Jin Chuan walked to the table with an expressionless face, picked up the teacup and handed it to Baoyu.

He said, “Master Bao, please have some tea.”

Just as the teacup was about to be handed to Baoyu, Jinchuan seemed to be unsteady on her feet, stumbled, and uttered a cry.

He didn’t hold the teacup steadily, and with a “bang”, the whole cup flew out of his hand and fell on the table.

The scalding hot tea instantly spilled all over the table, soaking the paper Baoyu had laid out on the table.

……

Baoyu saw that his masterpiece was completely soaked by the steaming tea.

He hurriedly cried out: “What can I do? What can I do? Such a good piece of calligraphy is being ruined like this!”

His tone was heavy with sorrow, and he seemed about to cry out loud, as if his peerless masterpiece had been destroyed by Jin Chuan, and he felt infinite regret and grief in his heart.

Baochai said anxiously, “Jinchuan, why are you so rash in doing things…”

After hearing what Baochai said, Baoyu felt a little comforted and his grief seemed to be less. He sighed in his heart, “It’s good that Sister Bao understands me.”

But suddenly I heard Baochai say the following: “Come here quickly so I can see if you have burned your hands!

If you burn your hands with this boiling hot tea, it will leave scars, what will happen then? “

Baoyu: “…”

He originally thought that Baochai spoke in a hurry because she was worried about her masterpiece of calligraphy and blamed Jinchuan for being reckless and causing trouble.

Unexpectedly, the opposite happened. Baochai didn’t care about her calligraphy being destroyed, but was only worried about whether the maid was burned.

Baoyu’s heart was filled with awkwardness, loss, and his habitual grief and indignation.

He really couldn’t understand why his handwriting, which he had written with great care, was not as valuable as that of a maid. How could Sister Bao become so confused?

Baoyu saw Baochai grabbing Jinchuan’s little hand and looking at it over and over again, with a very nervous expression. He was relieved only after he was sure that there was no burn.

As for the calligraphy on the table that was soaked in tea, Baoyu didn’t even bother to look at it. He felt even more sad.

He said, “Jinchuan, you have ruined such a good calligraphy. It is such a waste. You will be the master of your own house in the future. Why are you so impetuous?”

Jin Chuan’s pretty face turned red with anger, but thinking of Ying’er’s reminder just now, if she retorted to Baoyu, it would give her girl something to talk about.

So she just bit her lip, said nothing, and didn’t even look at Baoyu.

……

Baochai felt a little dissatisfied when she heard Baoyu scolding Jinchuan in front of her.

He said, “Brother Bao, it’s common for girls to break cups and plates when doing things in their daily lives. Fortunately, no one is hurt.

It’s just a piece of calligraphy. Since Brother Bao can write, just go back and write another one.

Brother Cong can also write, and many people appreciate his calligraphy.

But he would give the scrolls he wrote everyday to Yinglian and the others to copy, and he didn’t take them seriously, so these were all trivial matters, and Brother Bao shouldn’t get angry about them.”

When Baoyu heard this, he was filled with grief and indignation. Why was Jia Cong everywhere? Everything was compared to Jia Cong. How could he be so fragrant?

The conversation between the two was becoming a little awkward when the door curtain was suddenly lifted and Aunt Xue came in with a smile on her face.

Aunt Xue seemed to be unaware of the atmosphere in the room and said with a warm smile, “How come Baoyu has time to come here today? It’s been a while since we last met.

Have you recovered from your knee injury? You can’t be careless when it comes to these injuries at such a young age, or else you may develop a root cause of the disease.”

Baoyu heard Aunt Xue’s words were warm, but she was still talking about something irrelevant…

He started talking about his own ugly deeds as soon as he opened his mouth, and felt a little embarrassed in front of Sister Bao.

He forced a smile and said, “Thank you, aunt, for remembering me. It’s not a big deal. I’m fine now. I’ve recovered a long time ago…”

……

Aunt Xue had just heard Ying’er say that Baoyu had come to the house and entered her daughter’s boudoir, so she hurried over on an excuse.

Originally, Aunt Xue was very fond of Baoyu because her sister’s second wife inherited the Rongguo Mansion, and Baoyu was the old lady’s favorite and the Phoenix Man of the Rongguo Mansion.

She and Mrs. Wang once urged Baoyu and Baochai to get married, and even made a story about a perfect match in Rongguo Mansion. But now, the times have changed, the second branch of the Jia family has become a side branch, and all the advantages that Aunt Xue originally saw in Baoyu are gone.

What’s more important is that when Mrs. Wang accidentally saw Jia Cong and Baochai being intimate, she falsely accused them of doing something improper.

Mrs. Wang also wanted to use this opportunity to force her sister’s family out of the Rongguo Mansion. If Jia Cong had not asked to keep them, the Xue family would have been forced to move out of the Jia Mansion.

These things created a rift between the two sisters…

What’s more, Jia Cong is becoming more and more brilliant, his daughter is always devoted to him, and there are even hints from his brother Wang Ziteng.

Due to various reasons, Aunt Xue had changed her mind a long time ago, and it is impossible for her to treat Baoyu as she did before.

Moreover, Baoyu has made a series of embarrassing mistakes this year and now has a rather bad reputation among the public.

Only his sister is trying to cover up her mistake and still thinks that her son is the best in the world, while outsiders are still ridiculing him behind his back.

In addition, Baoyu is now engaged, which means he is already a married man.

He is in such a state and yet he comes in and out of his daughter’s bedroom at will. He should not cause gossip to his daughter.

When Aunt Xue thought about this, she couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable and naturally came early.

……

As soon as Aunt Xue entered the room, she saw tea scattered on the table. Her daughter and the maid Jin Chuan both looked unhappy.

Seeing this situation, she felt even more uncomfortable, but her face showed no color at all.

She had some complaints in her heart. Congge was only concerned with living a peaceful and carefree life in the East Palace, and he brought his sisters over, so he had no more worries.

The West Mansion was left to Feng Yatou to deal with. Now that she was pregnant, she had no time to take care of the inner courtyard.

Why don’t they think about Bao girl? She is still a virgin and currently lives in the inner courtyard of the Jia family.

It is too disrespectful to let Baoyu, a foreigner, run around in the inner courtyard.

Baoyu often came to the house to talk nonsense. Aunt Xue was an experienced person and could see that he wanted to mess with her daughter.

He is already a married man, but he is still so shameless. How come I didn’t see it before…

But Aunt Xue was worried about her powerful sister, and her daughter had something in the other’s hands, so she couldn’t just turn her face away and send them away. It was really difficult for her.

……

Baoyu smiled and said, “I haven’t seen Sister Bao for a long time, so I came over to visit. Is Auntie doing well recently?”

After hearing Baoyu’s polite words, Aunt Xue felt even more uncomfortable. You are about to get married, but Baoyu is still unmarried.

You haven’t seen my daughter for a long time, and you want to come over to see her? What kind of nonsense is this? You don’t even feel embarrassed to say it…

Although Aunt Xue was annoyed, she was an experienced woman in the rear house after all, and she did not show her unhappiness on her face.

He smiled and said, “Good boy, it’s hard for you to keep thinking about me. We have been here for a few years and have seen you grow up day by day.

Now that you have arranged a marriage with the Guihua Xia family, it is truly the best thing that could happen. Baoyatou and I are happy for you.

I have seen the girl from the Xia family with my own eyes. She even had dinner at my place. She is truly a first-rate beauty.

You and Miss Xia are truly a match made in heaven. There is no one more suitable than you.”

Baoyu was most afraid that people would say that he was already engaged. He felt that he was born a romantic and could not give up, and this immediately ruined most of his charm.

Now, listening to Aunt Xue talking about this matter at length, she not only described Miss Xia as a fairy, but also said that she and she were made for each other.

Then what’s the point of coming to find Sister Bao by myself…

When Baoyu saw that Baochai had a calm smile on her face after hearing what Aunt Xue said, she looked like she was happy to see the outcome.

Jin Chuanqiang on the side pursed her lips, but the corners of her mouth couldn’t help twitching, as if she wanted to laugh.

Baoyu suddenly felt as if he had been exposed. He felt so ashamed that he could not suppress it and wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.

He was filled with infinite grief and indignation, and almost cried out to the sky, “Why should I get engaged? It’s not my own will.”

Is this also my business? This is ridiculous…

……

Aunt Xue continued, “The last time I was chatting with the old lady, she said that she would hold a wedding for you and Miss Xia by the end of the year.

Miss Xia is not only extremely beautiful, but also has an elegant and generous personality and looks like a woman who is suitable for bearing children.

I’m counting the days. By this time next year, you and Miss Xia will have blossomed and borne fruit, and my sister will have a grandson again.”

Aunt Xue’s words were filled with affection and envy, and everyone could tell that she was genuinely happy for Baoyu.

Baochai saw that her mother was speaking to Baoyu’s heart, and she wondered why she hadn’t thought of it before. After all, old ginger is still the wisest…

Baochai smiled and said, “I have also seen Miss Xia. She is indeed an outstanding girl. Brother Bao is really lucky.”

Baoyu’s face turned a little purple at this time, as if his aunt and Baojie’s words made him a little shy.

Only he himself knew that these warm and festive words were like stabbing him in the back, and he wished he could die immediately.

At this moment, he regretted in his heart why he wrote a letter and went to Sister Bao’s house to listen to her congratulations on his happy marriage. Things shouldn’t be like this!

Baoyu thought that when he went to Lixiangyuan again in the future, his aunt would probably talk about having a biological child with him as soon as she saw him.

How can he behave properly in front of Sister Bao, how can he express his romantic feelings, and how can he express his tenderness to a girl like water?

I am an innocent person, but I have fallen to this level. God is really blind, trampling on me to this extent…

……

Aunt Xue saw that Baoyu’s face had turned ugly, and she knew that what she had said had hit the nail on the head, and she became even more disdainful of his thoughts.

But after all, out of consideration for his sister, he had to stop talking and let Baoyu know his identity and not have any bad thoughts about him.

She smiled and said, “Before you came just now, I told your sister Bao that Feng girl’s good days are coming soon, and we were planning to go see her.

How about you come with us and go see your sister Feng?”

After hearing this, Baoyu felt as if he had been pardoned. He really didn’t want to suffer any more.

Although he also wanted to walk around Feng Ji’s courtyard and meet the pretty Ping’er and Wu’er.

But he still cleverly thought that Sister Feng was pregnant and was said to be giving birth soon.

When my aunt comes over, the topic will definitely be about having children.

I will accompany her there when the time comes, and the topic of my aunt giving birth will definitely be turned to me and Miss Xia.

How can I behave in front of Sister Bao? Besides, there are beautiful daughters like Ping’er and Wu’er there.

Although Baoyu wanted to join in the fun, he absolutely could not afford to lose face.

He couldn’t help but be moved by his own wit, and hurriedly said, “Aunt, I have something else to do. I’ll go see Sister Feng another day.”

Having said that, he said goodbye and left in a hurry.

When Jin Chuan saw Baoyu leaving, he staggered a little and looked very embarrassed.

She couldn’t help but snort, but Baochai glared at her. Jinchuan’s face turned slightly red and she couldn’t help sticking out her tongue.

While cleaning up the tea stains from the spilled teacup on the table, she picked up the soaked piece of paper, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it into the slag bin.

……

Rongguo Mansion, Fengjie’s Courtyard.

Wang Xifeng asked Ping’er to send the doctor away. The two were chatting when Wu’er came back after finishing her work.

At this time, footsteps were heard in the yard. As the door curtain was lifted, Aunt Xue and Baochai came in smiling.

Behind them were maids Tongxi, Ying’er, Jinchuan and others, making a lively group of people.

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, “I heard the magpie calling in the afternoon. I haven’t seen you for a few days. How come you have time to come and visit today?”

Aunt Xue laughed and said, “You are pregnant now, and you still bother to manage such a large mansion. This courtyard is like a government office.

The daily dealings are bound to be very busy, and I don’t want to come and cause trouble all the time.

Just calculating the time, your good day will soon come, so your sister and I will naturally come to see you.

Our family also has a herbal medicine shop in the city, which was moved from Jinling. We can receive the best swallow’s nests from the south.

It is a great tonic for women during childbirth. I have already asked the shop owner to buy two kilograms of the freshest ones from the south, and it will be delivered in a few days.”

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, “Then I’ll have to worry about it, aunt.”

The two chatted some more gossip. Aunt Xue reached out and touched Wang Xifeng’s belly, saying with a smile that it looked like she was going to give birth to a boy.

This time Baoyu was wise enough. Aunt Xue met Wang Xifeng, one of whom was an experienced person and the other was about to give birth.

The topics that the two chatted about back and forth were all about having children.

The girls all had red faces and listened curiously.

Baochai was still whispering to Wu’er and pointed at Wang Xifeng’s belly, which made Wu’er’s pretty face turn even redder.

Wang Xifeng had talked a lot and thought about the earlier incident. After all, she was a little undecided.

Thinking of what Aunt Xue had just said about the things in the south, my heart was moved.

He asked, “My aunt only came to the capital in the past two years and has always lived in Jinling. Now many of the Xue family’s businesses are still in Jinling.

I guess you are familiar with people in Jinling and are well-informed. Is there anything unusual happening in Jinling recently?

I heard that the Zhen family in Jinling seems to be in trouble recently. Has my aunt heard about it…” (End of this chapter)