The Red Chamber: Starting from Saving Xue Baochai

Chapter 60 No need for the second wife to worry

Except for Baochai and Xiangyun, who knew the inside story, everyone else was shocked and astonished.

The huge Rongqing Hall suddenly became silent, and everyone began to ponder.

I slowly connected the recent information together, and suddenly everything seemed to become clear.

Yes, Xiangyun has not been alone when she went out of the house recently. She always goes with Baochai, and they have known Shen Yuan in Jinling a long time ago.

It was just that before, it was Yun Yatou who was talking about Shen Yuan's affairs, which made everyone think that the two of them had feelings for each other.

Grandmother Jia wanted to figure out the whole thing. Although she felt a little sorry that she couldn't bring Xiangyun together, she changed her mind and thought that it was a good thing. By marrying off this precious girl, it would stop some people from talking about the golden match. In this way, there would be no obstacles between the two Yu'ers.

After a moment's hesitation, the old lady smiled and said, "Bao girl is very lucky. She is favored by Yuan brother. She should be able to be granted a title in the future. This is something worth celebrating."

Sister Feng was not embarrassed by what happened before. She followed Lady Jia's meaning and said with a smile, "The old lady is right. Looking at Yuan'er's momentum, it's only a matter of time before Bao'er is granted an imperial decree."

A pair of phoenix eyes turned to look at Baochai, and said jokingly with a smile: "Bao girl is really good at hiding things. Without making any noise, she will become the wife of the martial arts champion."

Baochai held the handkerchief, her watery almond eyes filled with shyness, and she was not in a position to explain anything for the moment.

In this world, it is actually very taboo to secretly get married like this. After all, it has a bad influence, and no one would take the initiative to bring up this matter before the last minute.

But Baochai has Aunt Xue to take care of her, so even if others have some ideas, they will not say anything bad at this time.

Aunt Xue's thoughts gradually calmed down. Now that the matter was done, her anxious heart finally settled.

Looking at Wang Xifeng, she smiled and said, "Feng girl, please stop teasing your sister Bao. I was the one who asked you to keep the matter between her and Yuan brother a secret."

Aunt Xue's words were to tell everyone that Baochai had not secretly decided on her lifelong relationship, but had obtained the approval of her mother. The two of them had already made up their minds and were having a normal relationship.

In this age of blind marriages, although this is considered to be beyond the rules, it is not so taboo.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng complimented him, "Aunt has always had good taste. She picked a good son-in-law very early on."

After hearing this, Mrs. Wang felt mixed emotions and her chest seemed to be choked with discomfort.

Not only did the young man become the top martial arts champion, but he also destroyed the golden marriage prepared for Baoyu, which really disgusted her.

"Okay! If you have anything to say, you can talk about it in private. Don't make Yuan-ge wait anxiously." Jia's mother said, looking at Aunt Xue and said with a smile: "Aunt, should we welcome the guests here or go to Lixiangyuan?"

"Come here. If there is anything I haven't considered carefully, please help me."

"Good." Grandmother Jia was delighted to see these happy events, and she told Yuanyang, "Go and welcome Yuan'er and the others over."

The old lady turned her eyes to look at Chai, Dai, Yun, Ying, Tan, Xi and other girls in the boudoir and said with a smile, "You can go to the warm room in the east for a while."

Shen Yuan is coming here, so these girls should stay away from them.

The six girls responded and moved eastward with their maids.

After entering the warm room, Daiyu, Tanchun and other girls all looked at Baochai with smiles.

Daiyu's eyes twinkled as she frowned, and she smiled and joked, "I can no longer trust what Baojie said. She was trying to evade us like that yesterday."

Tanchun's beautiful face also smiled and agreed, "That's right! And sister Yun is also a person who doesn't tell the truth."

Baochai, Xiangyun: "."

While the girls were bickering, Shen Yuan was led to Rongqing Hall, along with a hired matchmaker.

Shen Yuan's parents were deceased, so asking a matchmaker to come over would make it more formal and respectful to the woman. In ancient times, marriage was much more complicated than in later times, and it was very particular about the three books and six ceremonies.

The so-called six rituals:
One is called Nacai, where the man asks a matchmaker to propose marriage to the woman and ask for her opinion.

The second is to ask for the name, which is to ask the matchmaker about the girl's name and date of birth to predict whether the man and woman are compatible.

On the third day, Najib tells the woman the result of the divination, and then sends her a live goose and some jewelry and money as gifts, which means engagement.

The fourth day is Na Zheng, when the man brings the betrothal gift to the woman’s home, which is what later generations called the bride price, and the woman will return some gifts, such as women’s embroidery.

On the fifth day, the man selects an auspicious day and informs the woman. Usually, there are several auspicious days selected for the woman to choose from, and the menstrual period will be avoided.

On the sixth day, the bride is welcomed at the woman's home on an auspicious day, and then returned to the groom's home, and after the worship, enter the bridal chamber.

The three books are:
The engagement letter is used when the couple is engaged.

The gift book is used to check the gifts when paying the betrothal gift.

The welcoming book is the document used to welcome the bride during the wedding ceremony.

Shen Yuan prepared the engagement letter today and came here to get engaged.

Entering Rongqing Hall, Shen Yuan bowed to Grandmother Jia and Aunt Xue calmly: "Greetings, old lady, and aunt."

Grandmother Jia smiled and said, "Good! I haven't seen you for a few months. Brother Yuan has become more handsome. Sit down and talk."

Shen Yuan responded and sat down on the right side facing Aunt Xue. Then a maid poured him some fragrant tea.

Aunt Xue looked at Shen Yuan. Although it was not the first time she had seen him, she felt that he looked even more heroic when she saw him in a crisp blue shirt. She smiled and asked with concern, "Brother Yuan has been busy with the martial arts exam recently. I'm sure it must be quite tiring. Why don't you stay at home and rest for a few more days?"

"Aunt Lao is worried about me. I have been practicing martial arts for many years, so I am used to it."

After a few more pleasantries, Shen Yuan got straight to the point and said, "To be honest, Auntie, I made a promise to Sister Xue back in Jinling that after I won the title of martial arts champion, I would come to ask for Sister Xue's hand in marriage. I came here today to fulfill my promise that day, and I hope Auntie will grant my wish."

Aunt Xue was not surprised to hear this, as she had already learned about this from her daughter last night.

She looked at Shen Yuan with warm eyes and said in a clear voice: "I am also happy that you and Baochai can have such a fate."

Now that the decision has been made, Aunt Xue will no longer have any hesitations and will just follow her son-in-law's wishes.

Based on her observation and understanding of Shen Yuan, this young man is loyal and righteous. As long as the Xue family treats him well, he will help the Xue family in the future even if she doesn't say anything.

I have to say that Aunt Xue has a very clear view of this matter.

But before she finished her words, Mrs. Wang interrupted and said, "Where does Yuan live now? Does he have servants to serve him? Although Bao lost her father early, she is still spoiled by her family. We can't let her suffer!"

Aunt Xue was stunned by these words. She didn't know what her sister's purpose was in saying this.

Does he really care about his niece, or does he feel resentful?

She looked at her sister and frowned slightly.

In the warm room, Baochai was also puzzled by her aunt's behavior. Why did she care about these things?
Seeing that the atmosphere outside was becoming awkward, the girl was about to go out to speak for her lover.

However, Shen Yuan spoke righteously and in a serious tone, "I will protect and love my own wife, so you don't need to worry about her."

(End of this chapter)