The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 781 Baoshan

Since Sister Feng came in person to invite her and said all the nice things she could, Baochai naturally would not insist on staying at home any longer.

So she said goodbye to her mother and returned home with Feng Jieer, her maid.

Unlike Jia Lian, Feng Jieer did not send her to the back gate of the Grand View Garden. Instead, she went around the street to the east, entered Ningrong Street, and got off at the east corner gate of Rongguo Mansion.

After getting off the car, he took the initiative to hold her hand, looking very intimate.

Baochai knew that Feng Jieer did it on purpose, and felt that Feng Jieer lived up to her reputation for being thoughtful.

After what happened to Feng Jieer today, if someone says in the future that she "entered the door before entering", those who are willing to speak up for her will naturally have words to respond.

"Okay, I'll take you here. Haha, you can see even without me telling you that my family is busy today. If it weren't for you coming back, I wouldn't have the time."

At the gate of the Grand View Garden, Sister Feng finally let go of Baochai and said with a smile.

Baochai nodded. She had naturally seen that from the moment they entered Ningrong Street, the maid from Ningguo Mansion came on behalf of Mrs. You to inquire about the matter of opening the ancestral temple, and then the housekeeper's wife came to report on the guests' departure.

But Feng Jieer sent these people away with just a few words and personally sent her here, which also showed her sincerity.

So let Fengjie go about her business and don't bother her.

Who knew that after Feng Jieer told Ping Er a few words, she turned back to look at her and suddenly said with a smile: "Why don't you come with me to take a look? I know you are always the most opinionated person. Sooner or later, our family will be handed over to you to manage, so it's better to get familiar with it in advance."

If it were Daiyu, after hearing what Fengjie said, she would definitely snort coldly and turn away, or she would retort with something sarcastic.

But Baochai did not react in this way. She seemed not to hear the tentative meaning in Fengjie's words, and only said politely: "Sister Feng, you are joking. It is not right or proper. Why should I follow you?

I'd better trouble you to take care of it. If you need me in the future, you can use me later."

After saying this, Baochai bowed and turned to enter the Grand View Garden.

Her reaction made Sister Feng narrow her eyes.

Unlike Daiyu, after such a long time of getting along and observing her, Fengjie naturally realized that Daiyu was just a noble girl who despised the world.

If you give such a person power, she probably won't even bother to order things around.

But Baochai is a person whose thoughts even Jia Lian, who has the "clairvoyance", cannot figure out, so Fengjie is naturally wary of her.

When she first heard Jia Lian say that he liked Baochai, her immediate response of "I don't agree" was no joke.

Originally, Feng Jieer wanted to pretend to be the amiable cousin to the end, but she couldn't help herself and spoke out to test the waters.

Unexpectedly, not only did he fail to find out anything, but he ended up exposing his own thoughts.

I think it would be impossible to coax this girl like I coaxed Daiyu in the future.

It was rare that Feng Jieer realized that she had been adding unnecessary details, saying stupid things and doing stupid things.

In fact, Feng Jieer didn't know that even if she didn't say this, it would be impossible for her to win over Baochai by using the same tricks she used to coax Daiyu.

Baochai has followed her mother to manage the family business since she was a child. In the huge Xue family, there are so many servants, shopkeepers and clerks inside and outside, so how could there not be any cunning ones?

Although Feng Jieer is more shrewd, she generally falls into these clichés and is not a complex personality.

On the contrary, it was his previous courteous and humble attitude that made Baochai suspicious.

As soon as his true nature was exposed, Baochai immediately understood everything and felt that everything made sense, and there was no longer any ripples in her heart.

……

Seeing that Jia Lian never showed up, the guests who came to visit tactfully left after lunch.

As soon as they left, the two governments suddenly became busy.

Open the ancestral temple and inform all ancestors.

If it was just an ordinary promotion or ennoblement, it wouldn't be worth making such a fuss about it.

But there is nothing more glorious than for descendants to take back their ancestral titles.

When Jia Daishan was honored by the retired emperor and was re-ennobled as a duke, a grand ceremony to worship his ancestors was held.

There are old precedents to follow nowadays.

Jia Lian didn't seem to care much about this and let Feng Jieer and others arrange and handle it.

After bathing, he heard that Baochai had returned to the Grand View Garden, so he prepared to go see her. However, Grandmother Jia sent someone to summon him, so Jia Lian had to turn back.

"You were not feeling well, I thought you were not coming."

Perhaps because Jia Lian's vigorous appearance did not seem like he was unwell at all, Grandmother Jia let go of Bao Qin in her arms and spoke in a cold tone.

Jia Lian bowed his hands and said with a smile: "What are you talking about, Grandpa? Don't say that I am fine. Even if I am in trouble, how dare I not come if Grandpa summons me?"

Jia Lian's attitude made Jia's mother feel uncomfortable, and she sighed, "They come to congratulate us with good intentions, and some of them are our family's long-standing friendship. Since you are fine, why don't you come out to receive them?

Those outsiders are fine, but why don’t you show up when the elders from your relatives want to see you?

If people find out, not only will they not recognize you as a relative, not to mention that you have been conferred the title of Duke. "

Facing Grandmother Jia's reproach, Jia Lian had no intention of explaining to her. He just smiled and said, "It's my grandson's fault. I just felt that there were too many people and it was tiring to deal with them, so I just wanted to hide away for some quiet time."

Mrs. Xing, who had just returned from seeing off the imperial edicts with Mrs. Wang, really thought that Grandmother Jia was angry, and hurriedly spoke well of Jia Lian: "Grandmother, please don't blame him. He has suffered so much and taken so many risks outside to get back the title of our ancestors.

Now that he has finally returned home, he must have a good rest. So if he wants to be lazy, let him be lazy. It is the same for Feng Yatou and me to handle the reception of the relatives."

Grandmother Jia glanced at Mrs. Xing unhappily. Apart from anything else, this fool really implemented the Three Obediences and Four Virtues thoroughly. No wonder even Jia She, who was so difficult to serve, had no intention of replacing her from beginning to end.

Of course, Grandmother Jia was not really angry, but today was a rare day after all, and she had just wanted to keep a few relatives to play dominoes with her.

However, Jia Lian claimed to be ill, and the family was about to hold a ancestral memorial ceremony, so naturally Grandmother Jia could not keep the guests for long, and she felt a little resentful.

"I asked you to come here for no other reason than your sister Qin's matter.

I don't think the Mei family is a very important family, and they are just unworthy of the title of Hanlin.

Since they were the ones who broke the contract first, don't blame us for being ungrateful.

It was fine before, but now that you are a Duke, it shouldn't be difficult for you to get your sister's marriage certificate back, right?"

Jia Lian looked at Baoqin, then at Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang who were all concerned, and suddenly understood something. He nodded and said with a smile, "It's not difficult."

Jia Muton breathed a sigh of relief, smiled and touched Baoqin's head, while Baoqin lowered her head shyly.

Seeing this, Jia's mother stopped teasing her and raised her head to ask Jia Lian, "I heard that you took Lin and Bao out this morning, saying that you were going out for a trip.

You only took the two of them with you. No matter how much Yun begged you, you were unwilling to take her with you. Is that true?"

Jia Lian was stunned and asked, "Who told you that, old ancestor?"

Grandmother Jia spread her hands and gestured to her left and right.

Madam Wang laughed and said, "Yun girl was acting like a spoiled brat in front of the old lady earlier, saying that she had clearly seen you planning to take Lin girl and Bao girl out for an outing in the suburbs this morning, but no matter how much she begged, you refused to take her with you. You are really biased."

Jia Lian was speechless. Although he had heard that Xiangyun had spread the news, he had only thought that she was just complaining to Tanchun and the others in the garden. He had never expected that she would even come to tell Grandmother Jia about it.

What a loud mouth.

Of course it didn't matter, since he had already planned to make it public himself.

He glanced around the room and suddenly asked, "Why don't I see Brother Bao?"

Grandmother Jia said unhappily, "Before you couldn't come out, your wife asked your brother Bao to help you see the guests off."

Jia Lian nodded, expressed his gratitude to Mrs. Wang, and then said with a smile: "Grandfather, what do you think about me marrying Bao-ya-tou into our family?"

Jia Lian's words stunned everyone in the room.

Even Lady Jia and Mrs. Wang, who had expected this, were the same.

Originally, they thought that Jia Lian just favored Baochai more, so he decided to take only Baochai and Daiyu out of the city.

At most, I have some ideas in my mind.

This is also the reason why Lady Jia asked this question.

Who knew that Jia Lian would reveal his true colors as soon as he opened his mouth!

You have to know that this is not a private matter, there are many maids and old women in the room.

Jia Lian is so blatantly coveting someone else's daughter. If the Xue family disagrees, they will basically have no further contact with each other.

Fortunately, everyone knew that Jia Lian was not a person who would attack without a purpose, so Grandmother Jia hesitated for a moment and said, "Of course it's good... How do you want to marry her?" "Of course, the same way as Lin girl."

"Have you discussed this with the Xue family?"

"Ah."

"Has Madam Xue agreed?"

"Ah."

"Where are Feng and Lin?"

"I've told them all."

"Didn't they quarrel with you?"

"No, they are all very generous and easy to talk to."

Although I don't think Feng Jieer and Daiyu are generous and easy to talk to, but since Jia Lian dared to say so, I think he must have used some method to resolve the dispute.

So Jia's mother thought about it carefully and smiled: "If so, it is indeed a good thing. What do you two think?"

Grandmother Jia looked at Lady Xing and Lady Wang.

Madam Xing looked around and smiled, "Haha, today is a double happiness. I have long praised the girl from the Xue family, but I don't know which boy will marry her in the future!"

Our Lian'er is indeed a man of vision and ability, and she can deceive people without making any noise... deceive people... In short, it's a good thing, hehe."

Grandmother Jia was too lazy to pay attention to Madam Xing and continued to look at Madam Wang.

Mrs. Wang's expression became much more complicated.

But facing Lady Jia's gaze, she still nodded and said, "It is indeed a good thing."

Grandmother Jia smiled and turned to look at Jia Lian: "Since you have already settled the matter between Feng Yatou and the Xue family, I don't think you need me to mediate for you. So what do you mean by saying this to me?"

Jia Lian smiled slightly and said, "I would like to ask the old ancestor to help me be a matchmaker."

This time, Grandmother Jia really sat up.

"Matchmaking?"

"Yes."

Jia Lian's expression suddenly became more serious: "Bao girl is so outstanding, it would be unfair for her to be with me, so I want to ask a person of noble status and high prestige to help us act as a matchmaker.

After much thought, I feel that the ancestor is the most suitable. "

Jia Lian's words made Jia's mother feel very happy, but she still thought about it and asked, "Why didn't you ask your grandfather to help you with the matchmaking this time, but thought of me instead? Is it because Old Master Zhang's status is not noble enough, or is his virtue not high enough, and his reputation not high enough?"

“Of course my grandfather is of noble enough status and highly respected.

But I've already troubled him once with Lin's matter, so there's no point in asking him to come forward every time."

"I see. I thought your grandfather was the only elder in your heart."

Jia Lian had no idea that Jia's mother was actually jealous, and he pretended to wipe his sweat and said, "What are you talking about, old ancestor? If it wasn't because Lin girl was also your granddaughter last time, how could you have asked the girl's elders to act as a matchmaker?

Otherwise, I will trouble you with Lin girl's matter last time."

Grandmother Jia snorted, but also laughed, and said, "In this case, I will accept this Baoshan! However, how much matchmaking money will you give me after the matter is completed?"

"Haha, everyone knows that the old man is a wealthy man, but he would still covet the matchmaking money from his grandson?

But it's my grandson's. If the old man likes it, I'll send someone to bring it to you right away."

Grandmother Jia laughed in agreement. She was really happy to help Jia Lian become a matchmaker.

Although it is unknown how Jia Lian convinced the Xue family, but Jia Lian did not leak any information before, and secretly resolved all the interested parties. This attitude of not taking action or making a big splash shows how seriously he takes this matter.

I think even if the girl from the Xue family is not as good as the girl from Lin in his heart, she is not too far behind.

Accepting the offer of Baoshan can be considered as a favor to Jia Lian. More favor will naturally make the relationship between Jia Lian and the Jia family more inseparable.

"Ancestor, what are you talking about? Why are you so happy?"

Just when Grandmother Jia was happy, the chubby and tender Jia Baoyu walked in suspiciously.

The moment Jia's mother saw Jia Baoyu, her smile faded a lot. She hesitated for a moment, and said in a gentle tone: "It's like this, your aunt promised your sister Bao to your second brother Lian, and your second brother Lian asked me to be the matchmaker."

Jia Baoyu was stunned: "Sister Bao, Second Brother Lian?"

Jia Baoyu looked at his mother and Mrs. Wang, then at Jia Lian, and finally said to his mother, "But doesn't Second Brother Lian have Sister Feng and Sister Lin?"

Neither Lady Jia nor Mrs. Wang knew how to explain it, as they both knew the pain in their beloved ones' hearts.

Especially for Mrs. Wang, the daughter-in-law she values ​​the most and is most satisfied with is Baochai!

Whether in appearance or personality, Baochai perfectly meets Mrs. Wang's requirements.

But since the last time Xue Pan got into trouble, she refused to let Yuanchun come out to rescue him. Although Aunt Xue did not say it explicitly, she also knew that Aunt Xue was resentful.

Plus Xue Pan, this evil obstacle...

Mrs. Wang was so shrewd that she always felt that Xue Pan might not learn from his mistakes and might cause trouble again after he was released from prison. Wouldn't her son be implicated then?

Therefore, from then on, the two sisters never mentioned the matter of strengthening their relationship whenever they met.

I thought it was a tacit understanding, but I didn't expect that Aunt Xue would set her sights on Jia Lian and abandon her.

Although she felt a little uncomfortable, Mrs. Wang didn't mind it too much because she already had a better goal.

This time, it was rare that she and Lady Jia reached a consensus!

That’s right, it’s Xue Baoqin.

Everyone in the Jia family knows how much Grandmother Jia favors Baoqin.

Although she was forced by Grandmother Jia to accept Baoqin as her goddaughter, over the past few months, she has fallen in love with Baoqin, a girl who is not only extremely delicate but also well-behaved and lovely.

As a daughter of the Xue family, Baoqin is as pretty as Baochai.

The key point is that compared with Baochai, Baoqin's brother Xue Ke is definitely a plus.

Even though he had only met him a few times, he could tell from Aunt Xue's words that Xue Ke was a man of integrity in what he said and did.

She had no intention of seizing the Xue family's wealth. On one side was a brother-in-law who behaved properly, and on the other side was a brother-in-law with bad habits. It would naturally be better to choose the former.

Although Mrs. Wang let it go, she was still worried about her son.

She knew that Daiyu's incident had dealt a heavy blow to her son, and she was afraid that this would make the situation even worse.

She and Grandmother Jia both thought that Jia Baoyu liked his cousin Baochai, because from past experiences, the person Jia Baoyu cared about most besides Daiyu was Baochai.

Jia Baoyu is just naive sometimes, he is not really stupid.

Seeing that Lady Jia and others did not answer, he understood what they meant.

For the first time in my life, I felt a little regretful. If I had listened to my father and studied hard for the imperial examinations, could I have kept my sister Lin Daiyu?

Facing the worried looks of Jia's mother and others, Jia Baoyu was silent for a moment, then shook hands with Jia Lian and said, "Congratulations, Second Brother Lian."

Jia Baoyu's reaction surprised not only Jia Mu and others, but even Jia Lian.

However, Jia Lian no longer took Jia Baoyu seriously at this time, so he did not take it too seriously. He just shook his hand and replied calmly, "Thank you."

Jia Lian's nonchalant attitude made Jia Baoyu feel even worse. He turned around and said to his mother, "Grandma, if there is nothing else, I will go back first."

"Well, you are tired too, go back and rest quickly. Xiren, take good care of Baoyu."

"Yes."

……