The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

When Xiren saw Baoyu asking her, she also spoke up, "I know you don't like hearing these things, but we're all grown up now and can't play around like before. Although Grandmother often says that families like ours don't need to study so hard, I think that studying more won't do any harm, and it will make Master, Madam, and Grandmother happy..."

Baoyu interrupted her, saying, "You don't need to say anything more. I thought you were someone who knew me, but it turns out you're just like them, having been tainted by this kind of filth from somewhere."

Hearing these words, Xiren naturally felt wronged. She only meant well for Baoyu and wanted to persuade him to aim higher, but she never considered Baoyu's nature.

Xiren then said, "Leaving aside Second Master Jue over there who is about to become a scholar, let's just talk about Lan-ge'er. Although he is still young, he has already begun to study diligently. As his uncle, how can you not set a good example for your nephew?"

Baoyu sneered, "You're bringing up Second Master Jue and Brother Lan with me. If you think I'm inferior to them, then go to their rooms and I'll have some peace and quiet."

The other maids in the room saw that Baoyu and Xiren were about to quarrel and wanted to go up and persuade them.

Only Qiuwen and Bihen secretly exchanged glances, signaling everyone not to move.

Seeing their anxious looks, Qiuwen said softly to the maids, "We're all in Master Bao's room. It's one thing for Xiren not to side with him, but she even retaliates against him. How can we help her? Besides, how much has Xiren bossed us around these days, relying on Master Bao? Today she should be taught a lesson!"

Although Qiuwen and Bihen are both pretty, they may not be as innocent as Baoyu thinks.

They were inherently jealous. In the original story, Xiao Hong merely poured Bao Yu a bowl of tea and then made sarcastic and veiled remarks, as if she was afraid that someone else had come and seduced Bao Yu.

Now that Qingwen and Sheyue are in Jia Jue's room, Qiuwen and Bihen have become the head maids in the room.

Unlike in the original story, she wasn't half a rank lower than people like Xiren and Qingwen. She genuinely received the same allowance and the same treatment.

Even though the lady of the house wanted to make Xiren Baoyu's concubine, she ultimately did not take any action.

Xi Ren, who usually teaches and admonishes others, is often criticized by Qiu Wen and Bi Hen, who think she is arrogant and domineering.

Although he speaks kindly to her in public, who knows how much he secretly wants to get rid of her.

Therefore, seeing that Xiren had offended Baoyu, he was secretly pleased and didn't bother to mediate.

Xiren originally thought that if the two of them got into a fight, someone else would come and persuade Baoyu to let it go. However, she did not expect that even though the two of them had reached this point, no one came.

This sent a chill down Xiren's spine.

However, she still had to deal with Baoyu, so she said, "When did I ever say I was going to their place?" Then, with a heavy heart, she seemed to be shedding tears as she said, "You know my heart. Third Master, you are not young anymore. I see that Master often gets very angry about your studies. Why not just do as Master wishes? That way, Master will feel better."

In the past, whenever Xiren showed a tearful expression, Baoyu would immediately soften his heart, not only calming down but also comforting her gently.

But Baoyu was already feeling very angry and upset, so Xiren's words only made him more agitated.

He sneered, "I know you envy others for having an ambitious master. I'm a stupid fool, incapable of writing proper essays. Go ahead, I won't stop you."

If Baoyu were more advanced, having traveled to the Land of Illusion, been enlightened by the Fairy Disenchantment about the pleasures of love between men and women, and even tried it with Xiren, he naturally wouldn't have said such heartless words.

However, he was still young at the time, and romantic love was still vague in his mind. Moreover, Xiren had only taken care of him for two or three years, so although he had feelings for her, they were not strong enough.

In the heat of the moment, he naturally speaks without restraint.

Xi Ren was also a little anxious and blurted out, "Third Master was born with a jade in his mouth and is naturally intelligent. If he is willing to study, he will naturally succeed. Why say such things? It's just discouraging."

"Heartbreaking?" Baoyu sneered. "This jade is nothing but an inanimate object. I think it shouldn't be on me, but rather on Second Brother."

As he spoke, he grabbed the jade pendant around his neck and was about to throw it to the ground.

This terrified Xiren, who quickly stepped forward to stop it.

Qiuwen whispered to Bihen, "Quickly, take them and stop Third Master! We can't let him smash this ancestral tablet! I'll go and tell Madam quietly. Remember to tell the people inside not to tell the Old Madam!"

Bihen understood and quickly led several young girls to mediate.

Qiuwen had already slipped out of the house and headed towards the madam's room.

Upon arriving at the door of the lady's house, Qiuwen first sent someone to announce her arrival.

Qiuwen went in only after her wife called her.

As soon as she entered the door and saw Madam Wang, she knelt down and wailed.

Madam Wang has always considered herself kind and compassionate. She also enjoys reading Buddhist scriptures and doctrines. Over time, although these teachings have not completely permeated her heart, they have given her a mask that she does not easily remove.

Upon seeing Qiuwen wailing, Madam Wang quickly asked, "What happened? Tell me quickly!"

Qiuwen then embellished the story of Xiren and Baoyu.

In their conversation, Xiren is portrayed as someone who disrespects her master, speaks rudely, compares the second and third masters, and undermines the brotherly relationship.

If things had been as they were before, Madam Wang would naturally not have believed it.

However, since Qiuwen became the head maid, she has thoroughly studied Madam Wang and usually pays attention to her performance, which naturally pleases Madam Wang.

Lady Wang naturally liked Xiren, so she came up with the idea of ​​giving Qiuwen to Baoyu as a maid.

Now that Qiuwen is saying this, and speaking in such a pitiful tone, Madam Wang has already believed most of it.

However, her prior knowledge of Xiren made her unable to help but harbor a sliver of doubt.

Whether she believed it or not, upon hearing that Baoyu was about to smash the jade, she disregarded everything else and hurriedly got up to go to Baoyu's side.

When they arrived, they found the room in complete disarray, with Baoyu and Xiren both wiping away tears—Baoyu was angry, and Xiren was aggrieved.

When Madam Wang arrived, she immediately grabbed Baoyu to stop him from smashing the ancestral tablet.

Taking advantage of this moment, Qiuwen gave Bihen a wink.

Bihen understood and quietly slipped out.

Madam Wang said, "No matter what, we absolutely mustn't tell the old lady; it wouldn't be good to disturb her!"

Seeing this scene, she forgot all about kindness and virtue and believed what Qiuwen had said.

Turning to look at Xiren, he said, "I thought you were always a good person, but I never expected you to be so ungrateful. Since you don't want to serve Baoyu, then so be it!"

Xi Ren knelt on the ground, trembling all over, not daring to utter a sound.

Just as Madam Wang was about to order someone to throw her out of the mansion, she suddenly heard a voice.

That's clearly Wang Xifeng!