The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 646 Even Third Master Huan Has Jade
The west wind was biting, and the weather was freezing cold, but the strange vines and creepers in Hengwu Garden grew even greener and more vibrant, with a wonderful fragrance wafting through the air. The purplish-red fruits were crystal clear, like little agate beads, hanging down in lovely clusters.

As Jia Huan stepped into Hengwu Garden, he saw a graceful maid with her hair styled in double buns squatting under a trellis, sobbing softly. Her shoulders were shaking. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was Xiangling, with a unique bright red rouge mole between her eyebrows.

"Third Master Huan!" Xiangling noticed Jia Huan's arrival and quickly stood up to curtsy. Her eyes were slightly red and swollen from crying, and she lowered her head to avoid Jia Huan's gaze.

Jia Huan asked, "It's freezing cold, why is Sister Xiangling squatting here crying in the wind? Be careful not to catch a cold, go back inside quickly."

Xiangling lowered her head in embarrassment and remained silent. Jia Huan sighed inwardly and asked, "Is Sister Bao at home?"

Xiangling nodded sadly: "Yes, our Madam and Master Ke are here too. I'll go in and inform them."

"No need, we're all family," Jia Huan said softly, then walked straight into the house.

Inside the room, Aunt Xue and her daughter Baochai were embracing and weeping, with Baoqin also shedding tears beside them. Xue Ke, whose eyes were also red, asked Ying'er, "Has Miss packed all her luggage? Sister has to accompany Princess Kangle to the Princess's residence first thing tomorrow morning."

Ying'er replied, "That's about right. It's just a few sets of clothes to change into every day. We're not going to be princesses. They won't let us bring more anyway."

Aunt Xue, who was already grieving, was even more heartbroken upon hearing this. She hugged Baochai tightly and cried, "My poor child! Although our Xue family is not a prestigious clan, we are not the richest, but we are not the poorest either. You were born with a silver spoon in your mouth and have always lived a life of luxury. You have never done any work of serving others. Now you are to become a palace maid and go to that desolate and cold place thousands of miles away. You will be left with no one to turn to. What should we do?"

Xue Baochai was heartbroken, but she still forced a smile and comforted her, saying, "Mother, don't worry, I can take good care of myself. You must take good care of yourself. My brother was already gone, and now I'm leaving again. We'll be separated by thousands of miles, and I'm afraid we'll never see each other again in this life. I'm an unfilial daughter, unable to serve you and repay your kindness in raising me. I can only hope to repay you in the next life..."

Xue Baochai originally wanted to comfort her mother, but thinking that from now on, the two of them would be separated by blood and might never see each other again, leaving her mother lonely and helpless, she couldn't help but feel sad and tears streamed down her face.

Aunt Xue felt a pang of pain in her heart and hugged her daughter tightly, weeping bitterly. Baoqin, who was beside her, was also crying her eyes out. Xue Ke turned around to wipe his tears and saw Jia Huan standing at the door. He was taken aback and hurriedly said, "Third Master Huan is here!"

Jia Huan nodded: "Brother Ke is here too." He then stepped forward, bowed, and said: "Huan'er greets Aunt, Sister Bao, and Sister Qin!"

Aunt Xue quickly wiped away her tears and forced a smile, saying, "Oh, Huan-ge'er is here. I'm so sorry for being so rude."

“Brother Huan!” Baochai and Baoqin returned the greeting, then turned away to wipe their tears with handkerchiefs.

Xue Baochai was always gentle, serene, dignified, and generous. This was the first time Jia Huan had seen her with her beautiful, almond-shaped eyes swollen from crying. He felt a pang of heartache and blurted out, "Sister Bao, you don't need to be sad. Actually..."

Jia Huan's pained gaze made Xue Baochai's heart flutter, and her pretty face flushed slightly. Xue Baoqin's heart stirred, her eyes darting around, and she pressed, "Brother Huan, actually what?"

Jia Huan steeled his resolve and solemnly knelt before Aunt Xue. The latter was startled and quickly helped him up, saying, "What are you doing, Huan-ge'er? Get up quickly, the ground is cold."

Jia Huan solemnly kowtowed three times before saying with a hint of remorse, "Aunt, I'm sorry, I've dragged Sister Bao into this."

Aunt Xue, with mixed feelings, took Jia Huan's hand and said, "Good child, get up quickly. This is not your fault, it's just that Bao'er has bad luck."

Jia Huan said with shame, "Auntie, if you say that, it's clear you still blame Huan'er."

Aunt Xue said somewhat awkwardly, "Look at you, child, what are you saying? You've helped our family so much, I'm already thanking you enough, how could I blame you? It's just a little regrettable, if only your marriage to Bao'er had gone through..."

"That's all in the past, why are you bringing it up again, Mother?" Xue Baochai said gently, feigning annoyance.

Aunt Xue said sadly, "Indeed, the past is past, let's not talk about it anymore!"

Jia Huan glanced at Baochai, whose pretty face flushed, and she turned her head away to avoid his gaze. Jia Huan then said, "I don't know why Sister Bao rejected this marriage in the first place, but I am willing to marry Sister Bao."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, and Xue Baochai's pretty face instantly turned bright red.

Aunt Xue was stunned for a few seconds before she came to her senses and stammered, "Huan-ge'er, since you're willing to marry Bao-ya, then... what about Lin-ya?"

Jia Huan, having gone all out, shamelessly declared, "A beautiful lady is a gentleman's ideal. I want to marry both Sister Bao and Sister Lin!"

Xue Ke was dumbfounded, Ying'er and Xiangling's mouths were agape in an "O" shape, but Baoqin had the expression of someone who had seen through everything.

Aunt Xue was both shocked and angry, and said in a trembling voice, "Huan-ge'er...you...what nonsense are you talking about? If you're not careful, I'll tell your father, and see if he doesn't beat you up?"

Jia Huan's face flushed slightly, but there was no turning back now. He could only say earnestly, "Auntie, please don't be angry. Huan'er knows it's wrong, but I like both Sister Bao and Sister Lin. I absolutely cannot give up either of them. If Huan'er is lucky enough to bring Sister Bao and Sister Lin back safely from Hami this time, I hope Auntie will grant my request!"

Aunt Xue was initially quite annoyed, blaming Jia Huan for being too greedy and wanting to have his cake and eat it too. But upon hearing the last sentence, she was startled and blurted out, "Huan-ge'er, what did you just say? You can bring Bao-ya and Lin-ya back from Hami?"

Baochai, Baoqin, and Xue Ke were all stunned, and their eyes all turned to Jia Huan.

Jia Huan nodded firmly and said, "I will definitely bring Sister Bao and Sister Lin back, and no one can stop me!"

Xue Baochai's delicate body trembled slightly, while Baoqin looked at Jia Huan with a strange light in her eyes. At this moment, the latter seemed to be exuding strong confidence, and his gaze was as firm as a rock.

Aunt Xue was both excited and frightened. She stammered, "Marriage alliance is a matter of national importance, it is the Emperor's decree. Huan-ge'er, do you want to disobey the imperial decree again?"

Jia Huan shook his head and said, "Don't worry, Aunt. Huan'er has his own way. He can bring Sister Bao and Sister Lin back in a respectable manner without disobeying the imperial decree. If things go well, I hope Aunt will grant my request!"

"This..." Aunt Xue was a little at a loss. She naturally hoped that Baochai would not have to go to Hami as part of her dowry, but the imperial decree was hard to disobey, and it concerned the diplomatic relations between the two countries. What way could Jia Huan bring Lin and Bao back in a dignified manner?
Xue Baoqin smiled and said, "Auntie, don't think about it anymore. Just agree to Huan-gege's request. You know what Bao-jie is thinking. As the saying goes, it's better to tear down ten temples than to break up one marriage." Aunt Xue's face flushed. She knew her daughter's thoughts perfectly well, but with two women serving one husband, who would be the first wife and who would be the concubine? They couldn't just ignore it, could they?
"Alright, Huan-ge'er, if you can really bring Bao-ya back safely, she can do whatever she wants. However, although our Xue family is in trouble now, your Bao-jie has grown up on honey since she was little, and we dare not let her suffer any grievances. Your aunt's idea is that you must find a way to get your Bao-jie out of the status of a prostitute and marry her into the family with the rites of a second wife, otherwise I will not allow it!"

Jia Huan was overjoyed and said, "Of course! Huan'er's heart is truly devoted to Sister Bao, as heaven and earth can bear witness. How could I possibly let her suffer the slightest grievance!"

"That's good. I hope Huan-ge'er will keep his word." Aunt Xue nodded in satisfaction when she saw that Jia Huan agreed so readily.

"Thank you, Aunt Xie... Thank you, Mother-in-law!" Jia Huan bowed deeply.

Xue Baochai was so ashamed that she wanted to disappear. Hearing Jia Huan address her mother-in-law in a haphazard way, her heart pounded even more, and she turned and hid back in her inner room.

Hehe, not objecting means you agree!
Jia Huan was overjoyed; he finally didn't have to make this choice. However, to enjoy the bliss of having two women on his left and right, he still had to overcome the hurdle of traveling west, which was no easy feat.

Aunt Xue helped Jia Huan up, and said with some concern, "Good child, get up quickly. How do you plan to take Bao'er and Lin'er to Hami and bring them back safely?"

"Don't worry, Auntie, Huan'er has already made a plan, but I can't tell you yet. Just wait patiently, and Huan'er will definitely bring Sister Bao back from Hami to reunite with you," Jia Huan said confidently.

Since things had come to this, Aunt Xue had no choice but to nod and say, "Alright, then I won't ask anymore. Huan-ge, just be careful and don't be careless!"

With Jia Huan's promise, everyone's mood improved, and the previously gloomy atmosphere became cheerful. Ying'er and Xiangling excitedly packed their luggage; they would accompany Xue Baochai to the Princess's residence the next day. These two maids seemed to have a blind trust in Jia Huan, probably already treating the trip to Hami as a publicly funded vacation.

Jia Huan chatted briefly with Aunt Xue, Baoqin, and Xue Ke, after which the clever Baoqin pulled Xue Ke and Aunt Xue away.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Jia Huan entered the inner room. Baochai was sitting quietly by the bed. When she saw him enter, she blushed and turned to the side of the bed in a fluster, leaving only the back of her head in front of him.

Jia Huan felt pity for her and stepped forward, saying softly, "Sister Bao!"

That one call of "Sister Bao" was so moving and poignant that it made the latter's delicate body go weak and her heart tremble.

"Why is Sister Bao ignoring me?" Jia Huan asked shyly as he approached Xue Baochai and took her hands in his. He felt that the skin on her wrists was as smooth as cream.

Xue Baochai slowly turned her head, and tears fell like broken pearls. Jia Huan was startled and quickly let go of her hand, asking, "What's wrong, Sister Bao?"

Xue Baochai remained silent, only weeping. Jia Huan thought about it carefully and roughly understood, then said softly, "Sister Bao, do you think I took advantage of your vulnerability and bullied you, a widow and her orphan?"

Xue Baochai sighed, "My family has fallen into decline, and I have been reduced to a lowly status. I am nothing more than a lamb to be slaughtered, and I have no say in my own life."

Upon hearing this, Jia Huan hurriedly said, "My feelings for Sister Bao are sincere. If I have even the slightest intention to take advantage of her in her vulnerable state, may I be struck by lightning..."

Xue Baochai hurriedly covered Jia Huan's mouth and said nervously, "Just speak properly, why are you making such a vicious oath? Look at you, all you do is bully me. Back then... you were willing to risk your life to defy the imperial decree for Lin girl, so why provoke me again now?"

Recalling the scene of Jia Huan and Lin Daiyu embracing and kissing in the peach blossom grove, Xue Baochai felt so wronged that tears streamed down her face.

Jia Huan looked at her with both pity and shame, and said softly, "Good sister, do you only see that I disobeyed the imperial decree for Sister Lin, but don't remember that I also risked my life for you? If it were Sister Bao, I would also disobey the imperial decree for you, even if it meant dying a hundred times!"
Today, I swallowed my pride and confessed my true feelings to my aunt, even if I was scolded mercilessly. I never expected that my aunt wouldn't utter a single word of reproach, but instead, Baochai misunderstood me. It's truly impossible to clear my name now. Huan'er had absolutely no intention of taking advantage of her, nor did I have the slightest intention of disrespecting or defiling Baochai. If Baochai doesn't believe me, Huan'er will now lay bare my heart and soul for you to see!"

After speaking, the man looked grief-stricken and bent down to pull out the dagger Zhanquan, which Liu Xiangxiang had given him, from his boot. Xue Baochai was shocked and quickly snatched it away, clutching it tightly with both hands. Her voice trembled as she cried out, "No, you... you don't need to scare me. If you die, I won't live either!"

Jia Huan's heart fluttered, and he seized the opportunity to gently embrace Xue Baochai's delicate body, saying softly, "Sister Bao, neither of us will die. We will live to be a hundred years old. After we return from Hami, we will hold the wedding ceremony. From then on, we will respect each other, live in harmony, and have many children and grandchildren..."

Xue Baochai's grievances had long since vanished. Now, being embraced by someone and having sweet words whispered in her ear, she felt both shy and sweet. In the end, she couldn't resist and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Jia Huan breathed a sigh of relief. Although Xue Baochai was easygoing, as a lady from a prominent family, she was also an outstanding woman with a strong sense of self-respect. Once she became stubborn, she would be difficult to deal with. Therefore, Jia Huan had to use all his skills to strike while the iron was hot, otherwise it would be even more difficult to deal with her in the future.

Ying'er and Xiangling had probably been eavesdropping outside. When they heard the knife being used, they were afraid something might happen, so they rushed in. But when they saw the two of them embracing, they exchanged a glance and then tiptoed out.

Xue Baochai, facing outwards, could see clearly and was so ashamed that she wanted to push Jia Huan away, but he only hugged her tighter.

Fortunately, the man didn't push his luck. After hugging her for a while, he finally let go, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped away the tears from Baochai's eyes. Seeing that she didn't object, he lightly pecked her fair face like a dragonfly skimming the water.

Xue Baochai gave Jia Huan a shy and reproachful look, and the latter smiled, took Baochai's soft hand, and the two looked at each other tenderly.

Just then, Ying'er came in again, holding a pair of gleaming gold longevity locks in her hand, and asked, "Miss, should I take this with me?"

Baochai's face flushed, and she said, "Why bother with this? Just give it away, we don't need it!"

When the Xue family was raided, Baochai's longevity gold lock was also confiscated. However, Yi Hong, in order to curry favor with Jia Huan, retrieved it from the brothel and returned it to Baochai.

Jia Huan laughed and said, "No need to give it away, give it to me. I'll take it to a craftsman to melt it down and make another one in the same style. Sister Bao can wear it again."

Ying'er said with a smile, "That's fine too. Actually, Third Master Huan is also a member of the Yu generation, and his name contains the character 'Yu'."

Jia Huan gave a thumbs-up and praised, "Sister Ying'er is so good at talking. My jade is a perfect match for Sister Bao's gold." As he spoke, he put away Baochai's longevity gold lock, preparing to have a new one made in a different style and have Baochai wear it.

(End of this chapter)