The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

What sins did he commit in Chapter 746?

The 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month is the Little New Year in northern China. On this day, it is customary to eat dumplings and clean the house, and the Jia family is no exception. Early in the morning, Jia Tanchun and Li Wan, along with Lin Zhixiao's wife, Zhou Rui's wife, and other housekeepers, urged each household to clean their homes and prepare for the arrival of the New Year.

This job used to be done by Wang Xifeng, but now it has fallen to Jia Tanchun and Li Wan.

Li Wan was originally a person who did not compete with the world, but Jia Tanchun was a woman who was not inferior to men. She was decisive and efficient in her work. She always did things to the best of her ability. In addition, her beloved younger brother was about to return to the capital, so she naturally paid extra attention. Under her strict supervision, no one dared to slack off in the slightest. They cleaned the Jia Mansion and the Grand View Garden spotless. Even the doors, windows and pavilions with peeling paint were repainted, making everything look brand new.

In the depths of winter, when the weather is bitterly cold, the various exotic vines and creepers in Hengwu Garden appear even more verdant and exude a unique fragrance, with their glistening, translucent fruits hanging down in lovely abundance.

After returning from Hami, Baochai went back to Hengwu Garden to live with her cousin Baoqin. At this time, the two women were chatting by the fire in the room, and Baochai was doing needlework.

Baoqin, now sixteen, has grown even more beautiful. Her features are exquisitely beautiful, and her bright eyes are exceptionally captivating, as if they could speak. Her skin is also incredibly soft and supple, as if it could be broken with a touch, like a piece of carved jade.

"I heard that Brother Huan is already on his way to the capital, but I wonder if he will make it in time for New Year's Eve." Xue Baoqin rested her chin on her hand, her dark eyes fixed on the needlework in Baochai's hands, and muttered to herself.

Xue Baochai remained as dignified and serene as ever. She raised her gentle almond-shaped eyes and scrutinized Baoqin for a moment, then smiled and said, "What if we make it in time? What if we don't? You've been talking about it at least ten times these past few days."

Xue Baoqin said with a grin, "What's wrong with nagging? Are you perhaps jealous of your younger sister?"

Xue Baochai's pretty face flushed slightly as she said, "Nothing of the sort. You've gone mad, girl. You're always saying such nonsensical things."

Xue Baoqin's beautiful eyes darted around as she said, "Half a year has passed, don't you miss Brother Huan? I'm worried about you. Wouldn't it be better if Brother Huan came back soon and married you sooner?"

Xue Baochai's heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks flushed instantly. She smiled and scolded, "It seems you've really gone mad. If you have nothing better to do, go play chess with Daiyu. Don't bother me here."

Xue Baoqin giggled and said, "Sister, why are you shy? Anyway, it was already agreed upon back then, and Auntie agreed as well. Now even Grandma and Madam know about the agreement. I bet that when Brother Huan returns to the capital this time, Grandma will definitely arrange the marriage of the three of you, hee hee!"

Xue Baochai was delighted, but being the reserved and demure girl she always was, she couldn't talk about her marriage as freely as Baoqin, that wild girl. She picked up a feather duster from the side and scolded, "Get out, or I'll hit you!"

Xue Baoqin leaned close to Baochai's ear and said with a smile, "I envy you so much, sister. Why don't you ask your aunt to let me be betrothed to Huan-gege as well? Then we sisters won't have to be separated and can live here together."

Xue Baochai was stunned for a moment, then raised the feather duster to hit her, laughing and scolding, "You little hussy, you've really gone mad!"

Baoqin ran to the door with a smile, saying, "Good sister, I was just joking, please forgive me."

Baoqin was so engrossed in talking that she bumped into Aunt Xue, who was walking in. Aunt Xue immediately put her arm around her and laughed, "What are you two sisters arguing about now?"

Xue Baoqin laughed and said, "Auntie, you've come at the right time. My sister is bullying me, and you have to stand up for me."

Aunt Xue affectionately rubbed Baoqin's cheeks and said with a smile, "It's not that I'm biased, but your sister would never bully anyone, let alone you. You must have offended your sister."

Xue Baochai laughed and said, "Amitabha, a righteous official has arrived."

No sooner had she spoken than Jia Tanchun led a group of stewardesses over. Baoqin smiled and said, "Look, the upright official of the mansion has arrived."

"Auntie is here too!" Jia Tanchun smiled and curtsied, then asked, "What riddle is Sister Qin playing? Who is the upright and just official?"

All the stewardesses bowed to Aunt Xue, addressing her as "Hello, Auntie," and also greeted Baochai and Baoqin.

Baoqin said with a grin, "Isn't Third Sister the iron-faced judge and upright official of our mansion?"

Jia Tanchun shook her head and said, "I dare not. I didn't want to take on this job, but the old lady and the madam insisted that I do it. Fortunately, Huandi will be returning to the capital soon. After my sister-in-law gets married, the job of managing the household will be handed over to them. At that time, whether it's an iron-faced judge or a just and upright official, it won't be my business."

As Jia Tanchun spoke, she looked at Xue Baochai with a smile, causing the latter to blush deeply.

Aunt Xue laughed and said, "Look at Tan'er's sharp tongue. The old lady and madam made the right choice in letting you manage the household. It's a pity that my Ke'er is already engaged, otherwise I would have risked my old face to arrange a marriage between us."

All the stewardesses laughed. Jia Tanchun blushed and spat, "Auntie is disrespectful for her age and acts like a spoiled brat. I think it would be easy to arrange a marriage between relatives. Just betroth Qin to Bao Er Ge."

Upon hearing this, Baoqin, who had been watching the commotion with amusement, froze, her eyes darting away. Xue Baochai sighed inwardly. Although Baoqin had said it was a joke, she was an experienced woman, and having spent so much time with her, how could she not see Baoqin's girlish heart? She feared Baoqin might actually be in love with that rascal. Alas, Huan-di is truly… a troublemaker!

However, Baochai knew Baoqin's thoughts, but Aunt Xue did not. After Jia Tanchun said that, she was quite tempted!

Back then, the old lady intended to marry Baoqin to Baoyu, but at that time Baoqin was already engaged to the Mei family, so the matter was dropped. Later, due to Xue Pan's affair, the Xue family suffered a tragic change, their million-dollar fortune was confiscated and the whole family was reduced to a lowly status, and the Mei family also broke off the engagement with Baoqin because of this.

Now that Baoyu is nineteen and Baoqin is sixteen, they are of marriageable age. Neither of them is engaged, so it would be a good idea to marry them off. I just don't know if my sister (Lady Wang) would be willing.
Although the Wang family has fallen on hard times, Madam Wang still has high standards when choosing a daughter-in-law. In addition, Da Lianbao still harbors a glimmer of hope for "Lin Daiyu" and resists blind dates, so he is still unmarried at the age of nineteen.

In addition, Jin Chuan'er's suicide by jumping into the well and Miao Yu's sudden departure were quite a blow to Da Lian Bao. He had never liked studying and pursuing fame and fortune, and in the past two years he had become even more lazy, spending his days in Yi Hong Courtyard with maids such as Xi Ren, She Yue, Qiu Wen, and Bi Hen. Recently, he even brought Liu Wu'er, the daughter of the head cook Liu Saozi, to Yi Hong Courtyard to serve him, because Liu Wu'er's appearance and temperament were somewhat similar to Lin Daiyu.

Getting back to the main point, when Xue Baoqin saw that her aunt seemed to be interested, her face turned pale and she looked at Xue Baochai with pleading eyes.

Xue Baochai quickly changed the subject with a smile, saying, "I thought Tan was here to inspect the hygiene, but I didn't expect her to be here to play matchmaker. She hasn't even found someone herself yet, but she's already worrying about Sister Qin. Sister Qin is at least a few years younger than you."

Jia Tanchun's face flushed, and she stepped forward to take Baochai's hand, retorting, "Good sister-in-law, when did you enter the Jia family? The job of managing the inner quarters is still waiting for you, and we'll be relying on you to check the hygiene from now on."

The two teased and joked with each other, managing to cover up Baoqin's situation. While the latter breathed a sigh of relief, she felt a growing sadness and could no longer be happy. Growing up really is a kind of trouble!

Next, Jia Tanchun led a group to inspect the hygiene of Hengwu Garden. She was very strict and did not show favoritism because of her good relationship with Baochai. She pointed out all the shortcomings, and the maids Ying'er and Xiangling were busy again.

"Tan'er, when will Huan-ge'er arrive in the capital? Do you have any definite news?" Aunt Xue pulled Jia Tanchun aside and asked in a low voice.

Jia Tanchun replied, "Huan sent someone back to the manor three days ago, saying that he had arrived in Xuanfu, but he was traveling slowly in a prison cart. He should be able to reach the capital before New Year's Eve."

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xue exclaimed with delight, "That's fast! Two years have passed in the blink of an eye. Time really flies!"

Jia Tanchun remarked with a touch of emotion, "Who says otherwise? Before we knew it, Huan Di has turned eighteen this year. I wonder if he's grown taller yet." Then she chuckled softly, "Is Auntie getting worried too?"

Aunt Xue's face flushed with embarrassment. How could she not be anxious? Bao'er was already twenty years old this year. If she delayed any longer, she would become an old maid. Meanwhile, Huan'er's official position was rising higher and higher, and his reputation was growing. However, the Xue family had fallen into decline. In the past, they still had a fortune of millions, but now they could only live under the roof of others and rely on the Jia family for support. In the end, they lacked confidence.

To be honest, Aunt Xue was a little unhappy when Jia Huan proposed to marry both Baochai and Daiyu at the same time, thinking that Jia Huan was greedy. But now the situation has reversed, and she is worried that Jia Huan will not marry them.

However, Aunt Xue naturally wouldn't admit it, and laughed, "Look at what you're saying, Aunt, why are you in such a hurry? It's just that I haven't seen Huan-ge'er for two years, hehe... I've been playing cards for half a day and I'm a little tired. I'll go to Qin-ya's room for a nap."

Aunt Xue yawned and pretended to be sleepy, so Baoqin led her to her room.

Jia Tanchun smiled, pulled Baochai aside, and asked in a low voice, "Sister Qin's expression was off just now, and she kept giving you meaningful glances, Sister Bao. Does she look down on Brother Bao?"

Xue Baochai hesitated and said, "I'm afraid Sister Qin... already has someone she likes."

"Who?" Jia Tanchun was taken aback. In feudal society, it was a highly rebellious act to fall in love freely and secretly pledge one's life to another.

Xue Baochai remained silent, while Jia Tanchun's mind raced, and she suddenly exclaimed, "Could it be..."

Xue Baochai knew she had guessed correctly, and quickly shushed her. Jia Tanchun's expression was extremely strange, and she said with a bitter smile, "She's gone mad, she's really gone mad!"

Baochai sighed softly, thinking to herself, "It's all your fault for having such a wonderful younger brother, letting Qin meet such a stunning person when she was just beginning to experience love."

Jia Tanchun suddenly chuckled and said, "If Sister Lin and Sister Bao don't mind, then it's fine!"

Baochai blushed and pinched Jia Tanchun's arm, scolding, "What sins has my Xue family committed? Are all our daughters supposed to marry into your Jia family?!"

(End of this chapter)