The Red Mansion in its bustling glory

Just now, Bihen went out to call for Second Madam Lian.

It turns out that Qiuwen and Bihen had already been bribed by Wang Xifeng.

What Wang Xifeng feared most was not someone with ulterior motives like Qiuwen or Bihen, but someone as single-minded as Xiren.

This Second Madam Lian has seen and subdued countless women with ulterior motives who want to climb the social ladder. She knows that if she gives such people a chance, they can be used by her, so of course she has nothing to fear.

But someone like Xiren, who is wholeheartedly devoted to her master, is someone she simply cannot bribe from her master's perspective.

Now that Wang Xifeng has arrived, she said before even entering the door, "Madam, why are you so angry? Please sit down and rest!"

As she spoke, she hurried over to help Madam Wang sit down, and then quickly called the maids over to serve tea.

At this time, Madam Wang had already told Baoyu to go to the inner room to calm down. Apart from Madam Wang, there were only a few maids and Xiren kneeling in the outer room.

At this moment, Bihen also came in and quietly stood next to Qiuwen.

Madam Wang asked, "Why have you come?"

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "Oh, you're still talking about it! I was just on my way back from Grandmother's place when I saw a little maid running over in a panic. I stopped her and said, 'Why are you in such a hurry? What happened?' The little maid then told me what had happened in Baoyu's room. Madam thought, if this were to reach Grandmother's ears, wouldn't it alarm her? So I stopped her and came with her."

Madam Wang nodded and said, "You are a thoughtful person."

After thinking for a moment, she added, "That little girl is also clueless. Let me see who it is."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "It's pitch black, and it's just a lantern. Who could see clearly? Besides, that little maid was only trying to help Baoyu, so let her off the hook."

Madam Wang nodded, and Bihen finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Madam Wang added, "You've come at the right time. Remember, we don't need to pay her monthly allowance anymore; we don't need someone like that!"

Wang Xifeng quickly smiled and said, "Madam, please calm down. Of course, what Xiren did was not good, but she has served both the Old Madam and Baoyu. Even if she didn't do anything particularly meritorious, she has still put in a lot of effort. Besides, Xiren is now considered one of the Old Madam's people. It's still not right for Madam to act this way."

Madam Wang said, "What you say makes sense. I was just momentarily blinded by anger. So, what do you suggest we do?"

Wang Xifeng said, "In my opinion, it would be better to put Xiren in Jue-ge'er's room first. Madam thinks that there has been some gossip in the mansion because Jue-ge'er only has two head maids and Bao-yu has three head maids. Now it would be better to send Xiren there and give Bao-yu another one. This way, not only will Bao-yu feel better and resolve today's situation, but she will also remember Madam's kindness and will not repeat today's mistake in the future. She will definitely serve Jue-ge'er well."

Madam Wang thought for a moment, "What if this vixen were to..."

Before Madam Wang could finish speaking, Wang Xifeng understood her meaning and said, "Jue-ge'er has always been a man of his own mind; how can he be fooled by her?"

"But after all, she was kicked out of Baoyu's room, and it wouldn't sound good if word got out. Besides, what about the old lady..."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Don't worry, Madam, no one else will know about this tonight."

For this matter, Wang Xifeng secretly reassigned the patrolling women and other staff, saying that she was sending more people to the East Mansion for the wedding, and that they would stay overnight.

Therefore, although today's events were somewhat chaotic, surprisingly few servants knew about them; only the maids in Baoyu's room, as well as a few people from Madam Wang and Wang Xifeng's household, knew about them.

"As for the old lady, I will speak to her myself. It is common for people to ask each other for maids, so the old lady will not think much of it."

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name: 20 ...

Madam Wang nodded. "Then she can have it. But if this happens again, I'll tell the old lady to kick her out of the manor!"

After saying that, he went in to take another look at Baoyu, said a few words, and then left.

Wang Xifeng immediately came over to help Xiren up, talking to her as she pulled her outside.

This way, Xiren can also receive a favor, so why not?

Tonight's lively scene was orchestrated by Wang Xifeng, and the secrecy surrounding it was almost excessive.

While the Jia family was bustling with activity, Jia Jue had just announced the results of the first imperial examination.

Although cases were reported, they were not ranked; people only knew whether to take action or not.

Jia Jue's seat number is "Tianzi Shiwu," which clearly indicates that he is on the list and is within the circle.

"I got it." Jia Jue nodded and went back.

Now that the results have been released, we will have to take the exam again tomorrow.

Jia Jue returned to his quarters, reviewed his studies briefly, and then calmly prepared for the upcoming exam.

He entered the venue again the next day.

Just like the first time, he inexplicably fell into a dream again.

When I woke up, the exam was already finished.

The prefectural examination only consisted of three sessions, which was actually easier than the county examination.

These past few days, when there were exams, Jia Jue would practice martial arts in his dreams; when there were no exams, he would practice while preparing for them.

Not only swordsmanship, but also hand-to-hand combat, horsemanship, shooting, and other skills have their own methods.

After Jia Jue finished handing in his paper by shaking the bell beside him in the final round of the prefectural examination, the most important examination he had ever taken since entering the world came to an end.

With the gentle breeze and bright moonlight, Jia Jue did not stay at his lodgings for another night, and rode back to the Rongguo Mansion.

Upon arriving at the residence, as was customary, I first paid my respects to the old lady.

After exchanging a few words of laughter and conversation with the old lady in Rongxi Hall, he went to pay his respects to Lady Wang and Jia Zheng.

It took Jia Jue most of the day to finally return to his courtyard.

Although today was just like the day after the county exam, with Qingwen waiting for him outside, he felt something strange as soon as he entered the courtyard.

He didn't understand the source of this strange feeling until he went inside the house.

Because he saw a pretty face.

A pretty face that shouldn't be here.

"Sister Xiren?" Jia Jue feigned surprise—"What are you doing here?"

Xiren sighed inwardly, wanting to tell the truth, but Jia Jue also had his pride. If she told him everything, wouldn't this place become a dumping ground for people Baoyu didn't want?

But if she were to lie to him—now that Xiren was Jia Jue's maid, she had naturally and completely transformed herself into that role. Deceiving her master was something her past upbringing forbade. —And so, she felt a pang of conscience.

So Xiren had no choice but to say, half-truthfully, "Madam told me to come and serve the Second Master."

Jia Jue nodded and asked, "Why did Madam suddenly issue such an order? What about Baoyu?"

Musk Moon, standing to the side, said, "It was Second Mistress Lian who brought Xiren over. She said that Baoyu already has three personal maids, while Second Master, as his elder brother, only has two, which is unreasonable. Madam, considering all this, sent Xiren over. As for Third Master—I heard that Sister Liu's daughter went there."