The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 644 The Marriage Envoy

In Hengwu Garden, on a clear morning after the first snowfall, Xue Baochai opened the window. The morning chill mingled with the sunlight and streamed into the room. Looking at the remaining snow outside the window and a blooming early plum blossom, her melancholy mood of the past few days was somewhat relieved.

Xue Baochai suddenly sneezed, and Ying'er quickly took a cloak and put it on her, saying, "It just snowed, it's cold. Don't stand by the window for too long, or you'll catch a cold."

Xue Baochai had not yet washed or combed her hair; her long, flowing hair hung loosely down her back, and she looked visibly haggard. Her once vibrant cherry lips, red without any makeup, now appeared somewhat pale.

Seeing this, Ying'er couldn't help but feel worried. She knew that her young lady was always dignified and elegant, yet gentle and reserved, unlike Miss Lin who dared to love and hate. Although the latter was weak and sickly, she was not like her young lady who kept everything to herself. Miss Lin would cry when she wanted to cry and laugh when she wanted to laugh. She even dared to hug Master Huan and cry in front of everyone. Her young lady would never dare to do such a thing.

Miss Lin is deeply in love with Third Master Huan, but isn't my own daughter just as devoted? At least Miss Lin dares to show it, but my own daughter keeps it hidden in her heart and refuses to show it to anyone. She even has to put on a brave face in front of others. If this continues, I'm afraid that Miss Lin won't fall, but this one will. Alas, what should I do?

Just then, a magpie that was foraging for food landed on the plum tree and made a series of calls, as if calling to its friends. Sure enough, another magpie flew down from the tree next to it and jumped up and down on the plum tree, shaking the plum blossoms and causing them to fall one by one.

Xiangling walked over and said happily, "How interesting! A magpie on a plum blossom so early in the morning, could it be that something good is about to happen?"

Ying'er said with a smile, "A good omen! Miss, hurry up and get ready, who knows, good news might really be on your way."

Xue Baochai dismissed it as mere fabrication, how could she believe it? She silently washed and combed her hair. Meanwhile, Baoqin, who had already finished washing and dressing, came over to chat with Baochai.

Just then, an old woman came into the house with a grin, trotting along happily. She said, "No wonder I heard magpies chirping so early in the morning. They said that Third Master Huan is going back to the manor. Thank goodness!"

"Really?" Xue Baoqin jumped up abruptly, and Baochai's delicate body trembled slightly, causing her to drop the comb she was holding to the ground.

The old woman laughed and said, "Lin Zhixiao has already personally driven the carriage to the Ministry of Justice to pick up the person, how could it be false?"

A surge of joy welled up in Xue Baochai's heart, as if the clouds had suddenly parted to reveal the moon. Baoqin said meaningfully, "Now, sister, can you rest assured?"

Xue Baochai's face flushed slightly, but she pretended to be nonchalant and said, "What do I have to worry about? Stop talking nonsense. Go outside and play for a while. I need to change my clothes and then I'll go pay my respects to the old lady."

Baoqin and the others left. Ying'er quickly combed Xue Baochai's hair, framing her forehead with a thin layer of bangs and tying it into a trendy little bun, instantly adding a touch of girlish charm and allure.

Xue Baochai, dignified and reserved, naturally disliked this hairstyle. She frowned slightly and said, "Why did you have to wear this hairstyle today?"

Ying'er smiled and said, "If you don't like it, Miss, I'll make a new one, but it will take some time."

Xue Baochai shook her head: "Alright, let's leave it at that, so as not to waste another half a day."

Ying'er chuckled to herself and then took out rouge to apply to Baochai's lips, but the latter quickly refused, saying, "I don't usually use these."

"That's because you're naturally beautiful, with red lips and green eyebrows without any makeup. But you haven't been eating or sleeping well these past few days, worrying about others and being afraid. Your complexion isn't very good, so you should use some cosmetics to look better." Without further ado, Ying'er applied rouge to Baochai's lips.

Xue Baochai was indeed naturally beautiful, with a good foundation. With just a little dressing up, she instantly became radiant and outshone all others. Even she couldn't help but be captivated when she looked at herself in the mirror.

"Sister, are you all dressed up?" Xue Baoqin, probably getting a little impatient, came in to ask. She was immediately amazed and couldn't help but blurt out, "Where did this fairy come from?"

Xue Baochai blushed slightly. At this moment, Ying'er brought over a pink-trimmed, pale yellow floral satin round-necked robe, a white cross-collar jacket, and a gold floral pleated skirt, and said with a smile, "Would you like to wear this outfit today, Miss?"

Xue Baochai shook her head and said, "Let's wear the same honey-colored outfit we always wear."

"No, wear this outfit, it matches your makeup perfectly!" Xue Baoqin urged, insisting that Baochai wear this outfit. The latter couldn't refuse and had no choice but to change into it.

"That's it!" Baoqin clapped her hands, looked Baochai up and down with satisfaction, and laughed, "Sister, your outfit makes all the flowers pale in comparison."

Ying'er and Xiangling both nodded in agreement, while Baochai smiled helplessly: "It looks a bit too frivolous, I'd better change into something else."

"No need to change, just leave it like this, let's go!" Baoqin smiled and pushed Baochai out the door, heading straight for Grandmother Jia's room.

When Chai and Qin arrived at Grandmother Jia's residence, they found that Daiyu, Tanchun, Xichun, and others had also arrived. They had obviously received news that Jia Huan was returning to the mansion, so they came to wait for him in advance. After a while, Aunt Xue also arrived.

About half an hour later, Lin Zhixiao's wife came in to report: "Third Master Huan has entered the mansion and is heading towards the old lady."

Everyone was naturally overjoyed. After a short while, Jia Huan walked in, still wearing the same clothes he had left in, completely unharmed. The women were immediately relieved to see this, but were also secretly puzzled.

Jia Baoyu sneered inwardly. Huan Laosan had defied the imperial decree but returned unscathed. He must have bowed his head in prison and agreed to marry the princess. Otherwise, how could he have returned unharmed? I admired him the other day. Turns out he's a spineless coward. It's just a pity that Lin Daiyu shed so many tears for him!
"But this is for the best. If Huan the Third becomes the prince consort, he won't be able to marry Lin Daiyu!" Jia Baoyu thought of this and couldn't help but feel excited and excited.

"Your unworthy grandson Jia Huan kowtows to your grandmother. I have caused you so much worry and fear these past few days. I am truly sorry!" Jia Huan knelt down and bowed before his grandmother.

Grandmother Jia sighed and said, "It's good that you're back safe and sound. What was the Emperor's decree?"

Jia Huan replied, "Although I disobeyed the imperial decree, there were reasons for it, and the Emperor was very understanding, only allowing me to be dismissed from my post and go home to reflect."

Grandmother Jia was taken aback and asked incredulously, "Just a dismissal?" Everyone present looked at each other in disbelief. Jia Baoyu was even more incredulous. After all, Huan the Third had defied the imperial decree. Compared to that, a mere dismissal was far too lenient on Huan the Third. So he couldn't help but blurt out, "Huan... Third Brother, have you agreed to become the Imperial Son-in-Law?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai's hearts jumped, but Jia Huan shook his head and replied, "No!"

"How could that be? Huan-ge'er, don't lie and deceive Lin-meimei. If you don't bow your head and admit your mistake, how can the Emperor forgive you so easily?" Jia Baoyu sneered.

Jia Huan frowned: "I did not lie, nor was there any need for me to. Does Brother Bao want me to be beheaded by the Emperor?"

All the women cast reproachful glances at Jia Baoyu, who blushed and stammered, "That's not what I meant, I just... found it strange."

In fact, not only Jia Baoyu, but even Jia Huan himself felt strange. After Shi Dayong left, he had prepared to face the wrath of Emperor Qiansheng. However, the imperial edict came down the next day, and Emperor Qiansheng only dismissed him from his post, without even stripping him of his official title, and then let him go home. It was really unbelievable. So on the way back to the mansion, Jia Huan felt uneasy, as if he were dreaming.

Grandmother Jia repeatedly questioned Jia Huan to confirm that the Emperor had only dismissed him from his post and had not imposed any other punishment. She then clasped her hands together and said, "Amitabha! This is truly a blessing from Heaven! May our ancestors protect us and bring good fortune to Huan-ge'er."

Although Xue Baochai also found the matter strange, she couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. The Emperor had only dismissed Huan and his brother from their posts, but retained their academic titles. Perhaps it was for the purpose of re-employing them in the future? It seemed that the Emperor was also reluctant to lose such talented people as Huan and his brother, but in order to maintain the face of the royal family, he had no choice but to impose the punishment of dismissal.

Lin Daiyu didn't care about anything else. As long as her Huan-di was safe and sound, that was all that mattered. As for this troublesome official position, she didn't care if she didn't take it. She was more than happy to have Huan-di stay at home with her all the time. So at this moment, she was filled with joy.

However, at that moment, Lin Zhixiao rushed in anxiously and said, "The imperial edict has arrived! Third Master Huan, hurry up and go to the front to receive it. The master has gone to court and is not in the mansion at the moment."

Jia Huan's heart skipped a beat, and he had a vague feeling that something was wrong. He knew that with Emperor Qiansheng's temperament, he would not let him off so easily. He wondered what kind of trouble he would cause this time!
At this moment, Baochai, Daiyu, and the other girls also looked at Jia Huan with worried eyes, clearly realizing that the visitor was up to no good.

As the saying goes, what is meant to be will be. Jia Huan composed himself and said, "Grandmother, please rest easy. Huan'er will be right back!"

Just as Jia Huan was about to go to the front to receive the imperial edict, someone outside shouted, "The imperial edict has arrived! Where is Old Madam Jia?"

It turned out that the messenger had already stormed into the inner quarters. Grandmother Jia dared not delay and, supported by Yuanyang and Amber, went out to greet him. Lady Wang, Jia Huan, and Jia Baoyu also went out to greet him, while the other female relatives remained inside.

As Jia Huan and his group walked out the door, they saw two teams of Imperial Guards standing on either side. In the middle was a middle-aged man wearing a python robe with a jade belt around his waist. He was none other than Prince Zhongshun. Next to Prince Zhongshun was the official from the Ministry of Rites who had come to deliver the imperial edict last time.

When Jia Huan saw this prince, he was startled, and Jia Baoyu was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he lowered his head and trembled.

There was an actor named Jiang Yuhan in the Prince Zhongshun's mansion who became friends with Jia Baoyu. They even exchanged handkerchiefs. Later, because of Jiang Yuhan's disappearance, people from the Prince Zhongshun's mansion came looking for him. Jia Zheng beat Jia Baoyu severely, leaving him half-dead. To this day, the big-faced Baoyu still has a lingering fear of him.

"So it is Prince Zhongshun who has arrived. I am so sorry for not being able to greet you properly!" Grandmother Jia said, and was about to kneel down and kowtow.

Although Prince Zhongshun was of noble status, he dared not accept the courtesy from Grandmother Jia, who was of a higher generation and over eighty years old. He hurriedly said, "Grandmother Jia, you may excuse yourself from the formalities."

After Lady Wang, Jia Baoyu, and Jia Huan had exchanged greetings, Prince Zhongshun asked, "May I ask, Madam Jia, does your household have two unmarried daughters, one named Lin Daiyu and the other Xue Baochai?"

Upon hearing this, Jia Huan felt a chill run down his spine and became secretly on guard.

Grandmother Jia also sensed something was amiss and nodded, saying, "That's right, Lin is my granddaughter, but Xue is a cousin. I wonder why Your Highness asked about this?"

Prince Zhongshun laughed and said, "What a joyous occasion! Please bring out the two young ladies, for the Emperor has decreed this!"

Although Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu were inside the room, they could hear the conversation outside clearly. Upon hearing this, they couldn't help but exchange a puzzled glance.

The Emperor had issued an edict, and how could Grandmother Jia dare to disobey? She had no choice but to have her maid bring out Xue and Lin. As soon as the two women appeared, Prince Zhongshun and the group of Imperial Guards were all captivated and utterly mesmerized.

"Tsk tsk, truly a beauty unparalleled in the world, no wonder that brat Jia Huan was willing to defy the imperial decree and refuse to marry a princess!" Prince Zhongshun couldn't help but marvel inwardly. As a prince, he had seen all kinds of beauties, but compared to the two women in front of him, they all seemed to pale in comparison.

At this moment, both Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu felt as if they had thorns in their backs, and could only lower their heads to greet Prince Zhongshun.

Prince Zhongshun withdrew his amazed gaze, cleared his throat, and said, "Lord He, announce the decree!"

The official from the Ministry of Rites, surnamed He, held the position of Principal Clerk, a relatively low rank. He respectfully took out a scroll of imperial edict and read aloud: "By the grace of the Emperor, the Lin family's daughter, Daiyu, is a descendant of the loyal minister Lin Ruhai. At the tender age of seventeen, she is beautiful and intelligent, skilled in calligraphy and painting, and possesses both virtue and appearance. She is now adopted as the goddaughter by Prince Zhongshun and is hereby conferred the title of Princess Kangle. This is the imperial decree!"

"Princess?" Lin Daiyu was stunned, Xue Baochai was also surprised, but Jia Huan's expression changed drastically, because he had seen this scene in his previous life when he read Dream of the Red Chamber!
Sure enough, after Lin Daiyu received the imperial edict in a daze and expressed her gratitude, the steward He produced another imperial edict and loudly read: "By the grace of the Emperor, it is decreed: In ancient times, there were Zhaojun who went beyond the Great Wall and Princess Wencheng who entered Tibet, spreading civilization, pacifying the barbarians, and spreading the power and virtue of the Emperor of the Central Plains, thus becoming a timeless tale. The Hami Kingdom in the Western Regions is a vassal state of our dynasty. The King of Hami respects the Emperor's countenance and fears the Emperor's might, and has long admired the flourishing culture of our Central Plains. He desires a princess from the Celestial Empire as his wife. I am deeply moved by his sincerity, and now bestow upon Princess Kangle a vassal state to marry the King of Hami..."

"Ah!" Lin Daiyu felt a sudden darkness before her eyes and fainted. Her two maids, Xueyan and Zijuan, were almost frightened to tears, and Xue Baochai's pretty face turned pale.

Jia Huan gritted his teeth, his chest burning with a thousand feet of rage. He originally had no problem with Emperor Qiansheng, but at this moment he felt an overwhelming disgust. This damned emperor was too vicious, actually doing this to him!
When Steward He saw Lin Daiyu faint, he felt a pang of pity and looked at Prince Zhongshun, who calmly said, "Continue reading!"

He, the steward, gave Jia Huan a sympathetic look and continued reading the imperial edict.
It must be said that Emperor Qiansheng's imperial edict was extremely malicious towards Jia Huan. Not only did it send Lin Daiyu to Hami for a political marriage, but it also designated Xue Baochai as one of the maids accompanying her in the dowry, and Jia Huan was appointed as the envoy to escort the bride.

In other words, this clearly means that Jia Huan is forced to personally send his beloved woman to Hami for a political marriage. This is far more tragic than what happened to his senior brother Liu Yi back then, and it can be said that the malice is maximized!

(End of this chapter)