Lian Erye in the Red Mansion

The 21st day of the first lunar month is the birthday of Xue Baochai, the daughter of Aunt Xue.

Following Grandmother Jia's instructions, Wang Xifeng indeed set up a wine show and a small opera performance in the large flower hall behind Grandmother Jia's courtyard.

Baochai was, after all, an unmarried young lady, and it was not inappropriate for her to celebrate her birthday in a grand manner according to the customs of the time. Putting aside everything else, her birthday alone was something that could not be publicized.

However, the Rongguo Mansion had a large population, and because Wang Xifeng was in charge, the event, though only costing twenty or thirty taels of silver, was still very well organized and lively.

Grandmother Jia didn't know if she really liked Baochai or if it was because Baochai was the birthday girl, but she not only made a special effort to have Baochai sit next to her, but also asked Baochai's opinion on everything from food to choosing a play.

Baochai, as always, was sensible, without any arrogance or dissatisfaction, and kept Jia Mu happy.

Shi Xiangyun was also invited over by Grandmother Jia yesterday. Seeing how affectionate Grandmother Jia was towards Baochai, she tugged at Jia Baoyu's arm and said with a smile, "Look how much the old lady dotes on Sister Bao. I think from now on, you'll probably have to take a step back."

Jia Baoyu also laughed and said, "She is such a good person. If she can make the old lady like her, I would gladly retreat even if I had to retreat ten times."

At this time, Baochai had only been in the capital for a short time, and her sisters had not yet moved into the Grand View Garden to keep her company every day.

Therefore, Baochai and Jia Baoyu, who were cousins, were not very close at all, and Baochai never said anything to advise Jia Baoyu to study hard and make progress! So, Jia Baoyu had a lot of liking and admiration for this cousin who was beautiful, intelligent, and had a good understanding of how to conduct herself in all aspects of life.

Therefore, he didn't mind Xiangyun's words at all. When he replied, he not only looked happily at Baochai on the other side of Grandmother Jia, but also ignored Xiangyun's chatter and went over to toast Baochai.

When Xiangyun saw that Jia Baoyu was ignoring her, she pouted slightly, as if she was a little dissatisfied, but she quickly put it out of her mind and turned to talk to Tanchun and Yingchun, who were watching the play attentively.

"What a pity! I thought I'd be able to see Sister Lin on this trip, but who knew her father had also passed away!"

The Shi family and the Lin family had no contact, so Shi Xiangyun only learned of Lin Ruhai's death and Daiyu's preparations to escort the coffin back to her hometown after visiting the Jia family.

Just as everyone was enjoying their own laughter and chatter at the banquet, the head housekeeper's wife came in to report that Madam You from the East Mansion was about to give birth.

Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the others were all startled and hurriedly inquired about the situation. Upon learning that she was indeed going to give birth today, they were all quite concerned.

Grandmother Jia then said to Lady Wang, "Go and see for yourself. If mother and child are safe, remember to send someone back to report!"

Although Lady You did not hold a high position in Grandmother Jia's heart, Grandmother Jia was still very concerned about the child in Lady You's womb.

Because if he is a boy, he is destined to inherit the Ningguo Mansion's business when he grows up.

Although the title of nobility of the Ningguo Mansion is still pending, and there is no word from the Imperial Clan Court, the Ningguo Mansion's vast estate and the status of the eldest son are still very important to the entire Jia family.

So Lady Wang personally led a group of people and hurriedly took a carriage to Ningguo Mansion.

At the banquet, Aunt Xue noticed that Grandmother Jia seemed a little lost in thought, so she deliberately smiled and said, "Congratulations, Grandmother, on the birth of another great-grandson. Your good fortune is now even more complete."

Grandmother Jia chuckled upon hearing this. Both households revered her as their matriarch, and You Shi's son was naturally her great-grandson.

Therefore, Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "It seems that today is a double celebration. It is both Bao'er's birthday and that child's birthday."

Putting everything else aside, this child clearly has some kind of connection with Bao-ya; we should definitely have him recognize Bao-ya as his aunt in the future!

As soon as Grandmother Jia said this, the conversation among the guests really started to get lively.

The three sisters, especially Xiangyun, immediately started discussing it with great joy.

With five or six hundred people in the two households, it's not unusual for them to share the same birthday. But who cares about the birthdays of the servants? If we're talking about the masters, it's quite rare for them to share the same birthday.

At least not one of the two legitimate rulers of the government.

Sister-in-law You has been in labor for so long. She could have given birth a day earlier or a day later, but she had to wait until Bao-jie's birthday to give birth. What else could it be but fate?

Seeing Xichun grinning, Shi Xiangyun leaned over and poked her, laughing, "Did you hear what the old lady just said? She's going to have your nephew recognize Sister Bao as his aunt. Does that mean you, his real aunt, have to step aside?"

Xi Chun smiled slightly upon hearing this, but did not reply.

Ever since her brother and nephew got into those scandals, she has been ashamed to acknowledge her status as the eldest daughter of the Ningguo Mansion, and rarely goes to visit Madam You and Madam Qin.

I only started showing some concern today because I learned that my little nephew was about to be born.

The details of what the people in the Rongguo Mansion were saying were too numerous to recount, but it was said that after Lady Wang arrived at the Ningguo Mansion, she indeed saw that everyone there was busy.

Given the current situation in Ningguo Mansion, the importance of Lady You's pregnancy is self-evident. Everyone in the entire Ningguo Mansion is concerned about it.

Madam Wang inquired about the specifics and, seeing that Madam You, Qin Keqing, and the others had made proper arrangements, she felt at ease waiting for news in the back room.

The process of childbirth is painful and prolonged, something Mrs. Wang, who has already had three children, naturally understands.

Just as the noise in the delivery room subsided, a baby's clear cry suddenly rang out. Even Madam Wang couldn't help but stand up immediately and walk into the courtyard.

At this time, a lot of people who were looking for information gathered in the courtyard and were crowding towards the main corridor. When they saw Madam Wang coming, they all made way.

"Reporting to the madam, she's a wealthy young lady!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang was greatly surprised, wondering if this was the will of Heaven.

Jia Zheng had two sons, but Lady Wang only had Jia Baoyu. Therefore, in Lady Wang's heart, Jia Baoyu was her only support for the rest of her life.

Therefore, although she also wanted her son to inherit the Ningguo Mansion's property, she was conflicted and did not want to lose this son, even if only in name.

Furthermore, since Jia Baoyu is a direct descendant of the Rongguo Mansion, not a close relative of the Ningguo Mansion, it would be somewhat troublesome to have him inherit the family line.

However, given the current disparity in power between the two families, and after she proactively signaled reconciliation with Jia Lian, with the support of so many powerful figures such as Grandmother Jia, Yuan Chun, herself and Jia Zheng, and Jia Lian and his wife, it wouldn't be difficult for Jia Baoyu to be forced to inherit the family line.

Although they may be criticized, they have made sufficient compensation to those involved in the Ningguo Mansion, so it's not a big deal.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why she subconsciously decided to give up her fantasies and try to please Jia Lian.

Because of this very conflicted feeling, she thought it would be better if Madam You had a son in her first pregnancy, so that she wouldn't have to worry about weighing the pros and cons.

Who knew it would be a daughter?

A daughter, naturally, has no chance of inheriting the Ningguo Mansion.

Could it be that Heaven wants Baoyu to leave her and come to take on the heavy responsibility of the eldest son's family?

Lady Wang was a believer in fate, and at this moment, the scales in her heart immediately tipped.

Not only Madam Wang, but also the women from other branches of the Jia family who lived nearby, as well as the housekeepers' wives from the Ningguo Mansion, all showed strange expressions. They clearly felt that the Ningguo Mansion, which had only recently enjoyed peace, was about to undergo another upheaval...

Meanwhile, Old Lady You and her daughters, Second Sister and Third Sister You, who had been taken in by Madam You to care for her, were all worried. Second Sister You and Third Sister You were alright, but Old Lady You looked utterly disappointed and almost collapsed to the ground.

Lady Wang ignored them and led a few people into the delivery room, only to find that two midwives and five or six maids and servants were still busy inside.

"Madam, it seems Grandma You is pregnant with another one..."

What...

Madam Wang was startled, her expression shifted, and she glanced at Qin Keqing, Old Madam You, and a group of You's trusted maids and servants in the room. Finally, she calmed down and waved her hand, telling all the unrelated people to stand aside.

The experienced midwife quickly delivered the second baby without much waiting.

At this point, Madam You was in so much pain that she was almost unconscious. So, Madam You disregarded her dignity and went forward to check the baby's gender with the midwife.

"It's a boy! It's a boy! Hahaha, good, good..."

Old Lady You burst into laughter with joy.

"Grandma, be careful, don't hurt the young master..."

"Oh, yes, yes, you hold him tighter and wash him quickly. After washing him, wrap him up properly. It's too cold outside, we can't let him get cold."

"The boy hasn't cried yet..."

"Ah, hurry up and pinch his butt and soles of his feet. How can he not cry? Hurry up, let me do it. I've had two children, I have experience..."

Madam Wang, standing to the side, silently watched the jubilant people in the room. She glanced at Madam You, who had fainted after learning the baby's gender, and gave Qin Keqing a brief instruction to take good care of her mother-in-law before leaving with her own people.

Soon, the good news that Lady You had given birth to twins, and that they were even a boy and a girl, spread quickly throughout the two mansions and eight branches of the Jia family.

Some were happy, some were jealous, but ultimately the majority were happy. Therefore, even the few who felt regret did not dare to show it and would tell everyone they were happy.

After consulting with the young mistress Qin Keqing, the steward and his wife at the Ningguo Mansion began preparing for the wedding banquet...

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