The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 540 A bolt from the blue
Jia Huan soon regretted teaching Xu Wenhou the "Six-Character Mantra" because the fat boy actually asked him to be his sparring partner and go to Prince Min's mansion every morning to run with him. This was too much to ask. He finally got a month's vacation, but now it's all gone. So Jia Huan decisively declined.

So Xu Wenhou made a compromise and asked Jia Huan to accompany him hunting twice a month. This was fine, Jia Huan agreed, but the fat boy seemed very eager to lose weight, and immediately made an appointment to go hunting at the Xishan Royal Hunting Ground tomorrow.

Early the next morning, Jia Huan put on his equipment and prepared to set off. After all, the Jia family was a family of military honors, and they always had all kinds of weapons such as knives, guns, swords, halberds, bows and arrows, so Jia Huan easily got a full set of equipment.

At this time, Jia Huan was dressed in a short suit, a dark narrow-sleeved top, and loose dark trousers for the convenience of riding and shooting. He wore thin-soled boots, high leggings, and a high bun with a red tassel. He had a vermilion headband tied at his eyebrows. He looked neat and heroic.

This cool and handsome style made Ping'er and Mandalin blush and their hearts beat fast. Qingwen's heart was also beating fast, and she kept stealing glances with seductive eyes.

Jia Huan put on his short bow and quiver, hung a precious sword on his waist, and waved his hand, saying, "I'm going to go. I won't be back until late. You can eat by yourselves. You don't need to wait for me."

Ping Er smiled sweetly and said, "Forget about that. Third Master, you must pay attention to your safety. Just walk around the periphery for a few times. Don't go deep into the area alone. Although there are no tigers on the West Mountain, there are still many wild boars and other ferocious beasts."

"Got it!" Jia Huan responded as he walked out of Yueweiju. He also brought his flintlock rifle with him and hid it in his boot, so he felt confident.

Mandarin watched Jia Huan leave with a depressed look on her face. She had originally pestered Jia Huan to go with him, but was rejected by the latter. However, Jia Huan also promised her that he would take her alone next time, so she gave up.

Jia Huan left Yuewei Residence and just as he was walking near Qinfang Bridge, he unexpectedly ran into Baochai and Ying'er, and hurriedly greeted them, "Good morning, Sister Bao."

Xue Baochai blushed slightly and wanted to avoid him, but when she saw Jia Huan's attire, she became secretly curious and asked gently, "Where are you going, Brother Huan?"

"Go hunting in the West Hill." Jia Huan said with a smile, "What does Sister Bao like? I'll get it back for you."

Ying'er said with a smile: "Our girl likes tigers, can't the Third Master fight back?"

Jia Huan laughed and said, "I'm afraid there won't be any tigers, but it's no problem to kill a wild boar. Or a sika deer, turmeric or something will also be fine."

Xue Baochai said quickly: "I don't want anything. What good is blood? It's spring again, and everything is growing. Hunting is against the harmony of nature."

Jia Huan sweated secretly, and said awkwardly: "Sister Bao is right, I just accompanied His Royal Highness Prince Min out of the city to relax, hunting is secondary, in this case, I won't shoot the bow."

Seeing Jia Huan "obediently following instructions", Xue Baochai was inexplicably delighted. When she heard that Jia Huan was accompanying Prince Min on a hunting trip, she smiled and said, "Brother Huan, since you are accompanying His Royal Highness Prince Min on a hunting trip, I am afraid that if you don't shoot, you will upset the nobleman. You should get something after all."

"Then just shoot some birds." Jia Huan said with a smile.

"Oh, Brother Huan, please go quickly. It will not be good to be late." Baochai said as she walked forward.

Jia Huan couldn't help but feel secretly curious. Just now, when Sister Bao saw him from afar, she seemed to want to avoid him, and her expression and the way she looked at him seemed different from before.

At this moment, Jia Huan had no time to think about it. He had made an appointment with the fat man yesterday to meet outside the Fucheng Gate. The time was almost up, so he had to hurry. So he hurried to the south gate of the Grand View Garden.

Baochai walked a few steps and then stopped, looking back at Jia Huan's straight back as he walked away. Thinking that this man might soon become her beloved, her face inexplicably felt a little hot and a little happy.

"My son-in-law is dressed so handsome and heroic." Ying'er said with a smile.

"I'll tear your little mouth apart." Xue Baochai reached out and twisted Ying'er's little mouth, and the latter ran away laughing.

Baochai and her servant arrived at the west gate of the Grand View Garden and went straight to the Lixiang Garden. They learned that Aunt Xue had gone to Grandmother Jia's room. After a slight hesitation, they went to Grandmother Jia's room to pay their respects.

At this time, Daiyu, Xiangyun, Sanchun and others were also in Grandmother Jia's room. Baochai greeted Grandmother Jia and Mrs. Wang, and then sat down next to her mother, Aunt Xue.

Grandmother Jia looked at Baochai carefully and felt that she was more dignified, graceful and gentle. She was more and more satisfied and said with a smile: "I haven't seen Baochai come here these days. Could it be that she is shy?"

Xue Baochai's cheeks flushed immediately, and she said hurriedly, "It's just that my old illness has come back. I will stay at home to recuperate for a few days."

Lin Daiyu glanced at Baochai, seeming to be thinking about something.

"So that's how it is. I haven't heard Aunt Madam mention it. Is he doing better now?" asked Grandmother Jia with concern.

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "Bao girl, this isn't a serious illness. It's just a heat poison that you brought from your mother's womb. You'll be fine after taking a Lengxiang pill."

Grandmother Jia nodded and said, "That's good. By the way, what has Huan'er been busy with these days?" Ying'er smiled and said, "I just met Mr. Huan San on the road. He was out with a bow and a sword hanging. He said he was going to accompany His Royal Highness Prince Min to hunt in the West Mountain."

Mrs. Wang and Wang Xifeng were both a little depressed when they heard this. Jia Huan was becoming more and more powerful now. His relationship with the prince was so close that he was no longer a little bastard that Xi Nian could control at will.

Grandmother Jia said happily, "Our Jia family's ancestors made their fortune by practicing martial arts. Although Huan'er is now a civil servant, it would be good for him to practice riding and shooting. However, this child did not tell his family in advance. Since he is accompanying His Royal Highness Prince Min on a hunting trip, he cannot ride a horse. It is no joke to get bumped into."

Youshi smiled and said, "Madam, don't worry. Although Huan'er is young, he is steady and will not make any mistakes. What's more, when the prince goes hunting, he will be surrounded by guards. He is safe!"

"Haha, that's true. Has Baoya gone out to take care of the family business recently?" Grandmother Jia turned her gaze to Xue Baochai again.

Xue Baochai felt a little uncomfortable and lowered her head and said, "I go out occasionally, but it's just to check the accounts. The shopkeeper takes care of most other things."

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Bao girl is very capable, but after all, she is a girl, so it is better for her to stay out of the public."

Aunt Xue smiled awkwardly and said, "It can't be helped. Pan'er is useless and can't help. Her brother Ke can help, but he is still in Jinling to deal with the aftermath. When he comes to Beijing, Bao girl won't have to show up in public anymore."

Grandmother Jia nodded and said, "That's good. Auntie, don't worry too much. It's inevitable that people will be a little nagging when they get old. This is also for Bao's own good."

Lin Daiyu's doubts in her heart grew stronger after hearing this. It seemed that the old lady's words were full of hidden meanings. Could it be that it was true? Yes, could it be that Sister Bao and Baoyu were going to get married?

When the Empress Yuan gave the gifts, the gifts for Xue Baochai and Jia Baoyu were exactly the same, the intention was self-evident. And there is also the saying of "a perfect match made in heaven", so the sisters all understood it tacitly. Now, hearing the tone of the old lady's voice, Lin Daiyu thought she had "guessed it right".

Everyone sat in Lady Jia's room for a while and then dispersed. The sisters returned to the garden together. Baochai had something on her mind, so after chatting for a few words, she went back to Hengwu Garden alone.

Xiangyun suggested going to Tuobi Villa to fly a kite, but Daiyu didn't go because she felt tired. She walked alone in the garden and unknowingly came to the peony garden near Hongxiangpu.

At this time, the peony flowers were about to bloom, and the ground was covered with fallen petals and the branches were covered with withered flowers. Lin Daiyu was sentimental by nature, and seeing this late spring scene, she couldn't help feeling sad. She took out a brocade bag from her waist, bent down, picked up the fallen flowers on the ground and put them into it.

Just at this moment, two maids came over here while chatting, one of them was Caixia, who served the lady, and the other was Fenger, the maid who did menial work in Yueweiju.

The two maids walked into the peony garden and sat down on a stone bench, without noticing Lin Daiyu squatting behind the flower wall picking fallen flowers.

"Good sister, is what you said true? Our Third Master and Miss Bao are about to get married?" Feng'er asked.

Caixia said, "How could it be false? I heard it from Madam with my own ears, and Madam Consort also agreed. They also discussed that when Master San and Miss Bao have a boy, they will give him to Master Xue as a son to inherit the family line."

Feng Er stuck out her tongue and said, "I thought Third Master and Miss Lin were a couple, but I didn't expect that it was Miss Bao and Third Master who got together."

Caixia whispered, "Keep your voice down. This matter has not been made public yet. I am only telling you this. Don't make a fuss about it. If my wife investigates, I will be in big trouble."

Feng Er hurriedly swore, "Don't worry, Sister Caixia, if I tell anyone, I will let my tongue grow a boil and my mouth and tongue will rot."

The two maids chatted for a while and then left the Peony Garden. After a long time, Lin Daiyu stood up with a pale face. Her body was shaky and the fallen flowers in her arms were scattered all over the ground.

This news was like a bolt from the blue to Lin Daiyi. Her mind went blank and her heart ached. She thought it was Baoyu and Baochai, but she didn't expect it was Jia Huan.

"Brother Huan, you... have deceived me so much!" Lin Daiyu felt as if her heart was being cut by a knife, almost heartbroken, and stumbled back to the Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Zijuan and Xueyan were shocked to see this. They quickly helped Lin Daiyu lie down and asked anxiously, "What happened to the girl? She was fine this morning."

Zijuan touched Lin Daiyu's forehead and hands and felt that they were icy cold. She was so frightened that she almost cried. She said hurriedly, "The girl is ill. Please call a doctor."

Lin Daiyu grabbed Xueyan who was about to run out and said, "No need to call a doctor. The doctor can't cure my illness. Quickly pour me a glass of water and don't make a sound."

Zijuan and Xueyan looked at each other and their hearts sank. They poured a glass of water for Lin Daiyu. The latter drank a few sips and her pale face seemed to recover a little.

Zijuan was secretly relieved when she saw this, but she still secretly asked Xueyan to go find Jia Huan. Unfortunately, when the latter arrived at Yueweiju, she found out that Jia Huan had gone out of the city hunting and was not at home at all, so she had to return depressed.

(End of this chapter)