Dream of the Red Chamber: My Daiyu Has Been Reborn

Inside Rongqing Hall, Grandmother Jia sat on the warm couch in the center. Lady Xing and Lady Wang sat on either side of Grandmother Jia, while Li Wan stood by her side.

As for the three sisters, they hid behind the screen because of Gu Jinhong, an outsider.

Gu Jinhong stepped inside, glanced around, and took two steps forward: "Junior Gu Jinhong greets the Old Madam."

A very slight sound came from behind the screen.

Yingchun, always taciturn, obediently hid behind, not daring to move. Tanchun, on the other hand, was bolder, peeking out through the gap in the screen. Xichun, being the youngest, also wanted to peek, but Tanchun grabbed her arm, saying, "Don't be silly."

Xi Chun pouted, somewhat unconvinced: "Only officials are allowed to set fires, while ordinary people are forbidden to light lamps."

When Grandmother Jia saw a tall, slender young man enter, she squinted and sized him up. She was always fond of handsome men and had long heard that the youngest son of the Princess was exceptionally good-looking, comparable to the young Marquis Gu. She hadn't believed it at first, but now it was clear he had surpassed his father.

Grandmother Jia sighed inwardly: What a handsome young man! He's almost as good as my Baoyu.

"Young Master Gu, there's no need for such formalities. I should thank you for escorting my granddaughter back."

"You flatter me, Madam. This is simply my duty."

Fortunately, Gu Jinhong was unaware of what Grandmother Jia was thinking. If he had known that Grandmother Jia was comparing that big face to himself, he would have definitely covered that big face with a sack.

Madam Xing and Madam Wang were also taken aback when they saw Gu Jinhong's appearance. After Baoyu was beaten so badly the other day, they had thought Gu Jinhong would be a fierce-looking man, but they did not expect him to be such a handsome and refined gentleman.

Madam Wang's gaze fell on Gu Jinhong, her eyes filled with resentment and malice. This was the man before her who had beaten her Baoyu so badly and even impeached her husband.

Daiyu followed beside Gu Jinhong, looking at the familiar scene and the familiar people, her heart was slightly rippled.

Grandmother Jia beckoned to Daiyu with a kind smile: "Yu'er, come here quickly."

Daiyu stepped forward politely and said, "Greetings, maternal grandmother."

"Good child, get up quickly, it's good that you're back. From now on, stay in the mansion and live well. Your mother passed away early, and you are the only thing she left me with." As she spoke, Grandmother Jia shed tears, though it was unclear how much of it was genuine.

When Daiyu heard Grandmother Jia mention her mother, her originally calm eyes finally rippled, and she felt her eyes sting.

After wiping away her tears, Grandmother Jia pointed out each person in the hall to Daiyu.

"This is your second aunt, you met her yesterday."

"I've met my second aunt."

Madam Wang simply nodded slightly without saying a word.

"This is your maternal aunt."

"I've met your aunt."

"Good child, get up quickly." Madam Xing was more enthusiastic. She and Daiyu had no unpleasantness between them. "If you need anything in the future, just come to your aunt."

Daiyu lowered her eyes and agreed.

Grandmother Jia then pointed to Li Wan standing beside her: "This is your sister-in-law, Zhu Da."

"I've met Sister-in-law Zhu."

Li Wan smiled faintly and remained silent. She knew that Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang harbored resentment towards Daiyu and did not want to cause any trouble.

After they finished exchanging greetings, Gu Jinhong continued speaking.

"Forgive my impertinence, but there is one more thing I need to tell the Old Madam. My mother is worried that Miss Lin will not have anyone to teach her manners and etiquette, so she specially invited two nannies from the palace to serve Miss Lin from now on."

Grandmother Jia's expression froze for a moment, and the expressions of everyone else in the hall changed.

The respectability of a governess from the palace is something even the daughters of the Jia family do not possess.

"Your Highness, the Eldest Princess, is very thoughtful. On behalf of Yu'er, I thank you."

Although displeased, Grandmother Jia didn't show it on her face. Originally, she had intended to find any room for Daiyu, but with these two nannies around, Daiyu's accommodations couldn't be too casual. Gu Jinhong, that boy, still seemed in no hurry to leave, as if he wouldn't be at ease until he saw the Jia family had properly settled Daiyu.

Grandmother Jia could only secretly give Wang Xifeng a wink. Wang Xifeng was adept at reading people's expressions and understood Grandmother Jia's predicament after a moment's thought.

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Grandma, now that your precious granddaughter has finally come to your side, I think it would be better to clear out the Bisha Pavilion. It's close to you and convenient for you to take care of her."

Grandmother Jia frowned slightly, then relaxed.

The Bisha Pavilion is located on the east side of the main room of Rongqing Hall. Although it is not large, it is for close relatives and younger family members to live in. Daiyu living there can be considered as fulfilling her maternal grandmother's duty, and even if word gets out, it will not cause gossip.

Wang Xifeng's suggestion wasn't wrong; if Daiyu had just arrived in the capital, she would have readily agreed. But now, because of all the trouble Daiyu had caused, she no longer wanted to keep Daiyu in her sight.

Grandmother Jia did not immediately agree, and looked at Lady Wang again.

Madam Wang thought for a moment and said, "Old Madam, the gauze-covered cabinet is a bit too small, and it's inconvenient to accommodate two maids. There are a few empty rooms in the east wing, which are also close by, making it convenient for them to pay their respects to you on weekdays."

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia's eye twitched slightly. This Wang Shi was truly blinded by resentment.

How could she not know those rooms? They were for the important old women in the mansion. Was Wang Shi not causing enough trouble in the mansion? Now that there were two palace servants with them, if they were really placed in such a place, the Princess would probably get the news as soon as they moved in.

Although she didn't particularly like this granddaughter these days, she knew the gravity of the situation. The Jia family had already lost enough face these past two days; they couldn't afford to lose any more.

Daiyu remained silent, quietly awaiting their arrangements. Gu Jinhong took in the expressions of everyone in the hall, sneering inwardly: This Jia mansion really is like a stage; it's a real pity these people don't learn to sing opera.

After hesitating for a moment, Grandmother Jia decided to simply arrange for her to stay in the gauze-covered room.

Just then, Gu Jinhong spoke up: "If I remember correctly, there seems to be a courtyard called Pear Fragrance Courtyard in the northeast corner of your residence. It was originally the place where the Duke of Rongguo spent his later years in quiet contemplation. Miss Lin is frail and has always preferred tranquility, so I think it would be perfect for her to live there."

As soon as Gu Jinhong said this, before Grandmother Jia could say anything, Madam Wang's expression changed.

She had just received a letter from her sister a few days ago. The Xue family planned to go to the capital in a while and send Bao'er to participate in the selection of concubines.

She had already planned out the Pear Fragrance Courtyard. She had just arranged for it to be renovated a few days ago, and it was ready for the Xue family mother and son to move in as soon as they arrived in the capital. Now that Gu Jinhong was trying to take advantage of her, asking Lin Daiyu to move in, where would her sister stay when she arrived? She absolutely could not agree to that.

Stop it! It must be stopped!

Madam Wang forcibly suppressed her anger: "Young Master Gu, you may not know this, but while Pear Fragrance Courtyard is indeed quiet, it is also quite secluded. Miss Lin is new here and not yet familiar with the manor, so it may be inconvenient for her to stay there."