Chapter 54 Third Brother remained silent, only showing her kindness. "Baoyu, this..."

"It was my oversight," Mu Chuan said with a guilty look.

Oh no! Lin Daiyu suddenly realized that she seemed to have gotten Shen Mama involved.

She lowered her head slightly, looking guilty—and she really wasn't faking it.

She felt guilty whenever she thought about what she was doing.

"I was thinking of telling Aunt Shen, but Aunt Shen isn't my third brother, so it's a bit awkward to bring it up. Even with such a large family business, my third brother still needs to celebrate the New Year."

A deep sense of apology welled up in Mu Chuan's heart, so when she asked Granny Shen if he was busy during the New Year because she wanted him to come and visit, he, who prided himself on being thoughtful, hadn't even thought of it.

"You're staying alone at the Rongguo Mansion, and their household is really inappropriate. I'll come to visit you often in the future."

Lin Daiyu quickly looked up and saw that her third brother's face was indeed not as calm as usual. She mustered her courage and said, "The last time you came to see me, you brought cloud-shaped cakes, and now..."

"It won't happen again." Mu Chuan's attitude had completely shifted from "The Rongguo Mansion deserves to die" to "I deserve to die!"

Knowing full well that the Rongguo Mansion had no sincerity, she originally thought that with him watching over her, she could make up for all the losses she had suffered in the Rongguo Mansion before. Who knew that the Rongguo Mansion would still be so unscrupulous.

Although she only made two tentative remarks, Lin Daiyu felt shy, embarrassed, and a little sour, and even found it funny, so she really didn't dare to continue.

"Third Brother, where shall we eat today? We don't have to go to Wuyue Guild Hall all the time, since you don't like sweets."

"I love their braised pork with bamboo shoots and pork belly. The salted pork is stewed until very tender, but the flavor is still very rich. I don't know how they make it. The aged fermented rice wine broth is also very good. Both the meat dishes and the side dishes are delicious."

Lin Daiyu was satisfied. She smiled at Mu Chuan and said confidently, "Let's go to the Wu-Yue Guild Hall again. I want to eat squirrel fish again."

The two headed towards the front courtyard, followed by maids and servants. When Lin Daiyu saw the three carriages in front and behind, she couldn't help but look at Mu Chuan with surprise: "Third Brother, there's no need to be so formal."

"You wrote to me telling me to avoid the wind and to ride in the carriage more often so I can rest."

Lin Daiyu smiled with a hint of mischief: "I didn't expect Third Brother to be so obedient." This was quite a bold statement. Lin Daiyu quickly walked to the carriage and added, "Let's ride in the same carriage. Since it's Third Brother, we can talk more."

The mounting stools were already set up, and when Lin Daiyu saw them, she noticed they were indeed painted in bright colors. She couldn't help but turn around and glance at her third brother.

"Watch where you're going, don't look at me," Mu Chuan sighed.

The tone was quite mournful, and Lin Daiyu laughed again: "You said you'd pick me up last time."

She lifted the curtain and went in, sat down properly, and for some reason started to feel nervous again.

The curtain was pulled open again, and Mu Chuan came in. Lin Daiyu then realized why Mu Chuan was nervous.

Third brother... is too big.

She had never been in such a small space with her third brother before.

"Now I finally understand. From the very beginning, when I rode in the carriage at Third Brother's residence, I felt that it was bigger than the one at Rongguo Mansion. So that's why."

Lin Daiyu reached out, but she couldn't touch the roof of the carriage. However, if her third brother stood up even a little bit, he would crash into it.

While nervous, she also found it a little funny: "I was just being presumptuous. You should ride a horse."

"You've said everything," Mu Chuan said helplessly. "Take a few more bites. There are some new pastries on the table made by Chef Deng. Last time it was too rushed, so this one should be even better."

"It couldn't be more delicious." Lin Daiyu opened the box directly, took out her favorite cloud cake first, and then asked, "Third Brother, what if I eat too many snacks and can't eat my main meal?"

This is probably due to the compensatory psychology that arises from long-term suppression and unmet needs.

Moreover, she was quite talkative and lively today, which was clearly because she didn't receive genuine care at the Rongguo Mansion.

Mu Chuan said, "It's fine if it happens occasionally. Maybe it's because the food isn't very good. We'll change the dishes next time."

“I love the Wu-Yue Guild Hall!” Lin Daiyu emphasized hurriedly.

Mu Chuan laughed too: "Then shall I take you for a couple of laps? Look at me, I could eat that whole box of pastries. What are you blocking my way for? I don't like pastries. I'm not going to fight you for them."

The two were chatting happily in front, while Zijuan in the carriage behind was so panicked that she felt the earth shaking.

The girl is very different from how she is at home.

She hasn't paid much attention to Master Bao these past few days, spending her time either embroidering or practicing calligraphy. She's been rather quiet at home, but when she comes out, she's smiling so happily with Earl Zhongyong.

Especially what did the girl mean by those few words she overheard?

You're not having a good time in the Rongguo Mansion? How could the Rongguo Mansion be bad?

She had just tested Bao Erye, and he said, "We'll live together if we live, and turn to ashes together if we die." As the saying goes, gold is easy to come by, but a true friend is hard to find. Bao Erye is outstanding in every way, so what more could the girl ask for?

Zijuan thought back to when she asked Uncle Zhongyong to arrange the marriage for her daughter, and he had clearly agreed. Zijuan pursed her lips, determined to find an opportunity to ask him again.

The Earl of Zhongyong is a first-class earl; he can't go back on his word, can he?

The carriage soon arrived at the Wu-Yue Guild Hall. Mu Chuan got off first, holding a stool in one hand and using the other hand for support, asking Lin Daiyu to help him down.

I've helped before, but today I didn't even dare to use any force.

Lin Daiyu glanced at him: "What are you helping me up for? Do you think I'll fall?"

I must say, that glare was quite striking.

The two entered the courtyard, and the innkeeper personally came to serve them: "Today we have snake soup and Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. Would you like to try some, sir?"

Mu Chuan glanced at Lin Daiyu and asked, "Do you want snake soup?"

"Food." Lin Daiyu nodded, then instructed the shopkeeper, "Bring some preserved meat and glutinous rice."

The shopkeeper smiled and said, "The young lady has a good appetite."

After the shopkeeper left, Mu Chuan teased her, "You've eaten everything, but I've never even had snake soup."

Lin Daiyu glanced at him and deliberately said, "Back home, those salt merchants would send me gifts every few days. What haven't I eaten? It's a pity that I can't go anywhere after coming to my maternal grandmother's house. If it weren't for Third Brother, I would still be locked up and never see the light of day."

"Speaking of which, it's the Rongguo Mansion that deserves to die!" Mu Chuan asked, "The Rongguo Mansion must have a thousand servants, right?"

"Not only that." Lin Daiyu had carefully considered the future of the Rongguo Mansion, and she could only tell Baoyu that she had no backup plan. However, after she finished speaking, Jia Baoyu's reply, "We two will not be short of each other," was like a blow to the head. From then on, Lin Daiyu was completely confused.

“I’ve only been here for less than two years. Back then, the Rongguo Mansion had four hundred servants, which meant at least fifteen hundred people, not counting the tenants on the estates, just those serving in the Rongguo Mansion. In the last two years, there are even more. My courtyard alone has more than twenty servants, Baoyu’s side has more than forty, and recently two more have been added from various places. Speaking of which, I’m afraid even Sister-in-law Lian doesn’t know how many people there are in the mansion.”

Mu Chuan brought up this topic to take a jab at the Rongguo Mansion: "With so many people serving you, how could they possibly neglect you? How can the Rongguo Mansion call itself a Duke's Mansion? Your maternal grandmother went to the palace, Zhou Rui's wife was arrested, and Jia Baoyu was beaten. How could that possibly affect the kitchen?"

"There are just too many people, which is why things are so slow. It takes three people to pour tea, and that's how chaos starts to break out. In my opinion, cutting more than half of the staff would be enough."

Lin Daiyu's words didn't actually have any profound meaning. It was mainly because she had been observing the Rongguo Mansion for a long time, and even to say something a bit outrageous, she had thought about how she and Jia Baoyu would live together after they got married, and how she should manage their own household.

She hinted at it to Sister Feng and made it clear to Baoyu. These last few sentences, which were somewhat venting her anger, can be said to be filled with resentment at being a talented person who was not appreciated.

"With just these 1,500 people, the male servants' monthly salary is twice that of the female servants, and their rewards are even more than their monthly salary. Including their food, clothing, and other expenses, it costs 30,000 to 50,000 taels a year."

Mu Chuan sensed the negative emotion in her words, so he went along with her and continued, "The Rongguo Mansion has not laid off any staff?"

Lin Daiyu shook her head and sighed, "I'm afraid of losing face, and I'm also afraid that the servants will gossip about this secret." After saying this, she felt a little better, but then worried that her third brother would think she was showing off, so she said softly, "Third brother, please don't follow their example."

That was a complete negative example of the Rongguo Mansion.

Mu Chuan smiled and said, "The servants of my Zhongyong Marquis's mansion all have long-term contracts, some for three to five years, and the longest for fifteen years. They can leave or stay as they please. If they don't want to leave, they can stay and I will take care of them in their old age."

Lin Daiyu laughed: "Third Brother, aren't you afraid they'll gossip about it?"

"What secrets do I have? I've treated them all very well. I command the Beijing Garrison, I'm also the Grand General of the Imperial Guard of the Daming Palace, the Earl of Loyalty and Bravery, and a favorite minister of the two emperors. If they really want to leave, I won't stop them."

Lin Daiyu laughed even more happily: "How can you not have a secret? Your ability to eat fifteen bowls in one sitting is the biggest secret of the Marquis of Zhongyong's mansion."

After saying that, she giggled. Mu Chuan said helplessly, "You're just being naughty. Last time, the bowl was too small. I only eat three bowls of rice at home."

Just then, the waiter came to serve the dishes, and Lin Daiyu stopped talking and just smiled at Mu Chuan.

It's not even the fifteenth of the lunar month yet, still the New Year celebrations. The waiters serve dishes with auspicious sayings, such as: "Red and prosperous stir-fried shrimp! Golden jade-filled Longjing shrimp! Rising higher and higher braised bamboo shoots!"

"Alright." Mu Chuan interrupted him with a smile, for no other reason than that the smile in his Daiyu's eyes was becoming increasingly unrestrained.

"Just bring the food up, you can go now."

The waiter quickly arranged the dishes, bowed, and left.

Mu Chuan said, "You've got some nerve, daring to mock your third brother."

“What’s wrong with laughing, Third Brother? He’s not Third Uncle. Oh dear, I misspoke.” Lin Daiyu offered her hand. “Good Third Brother, please be gentle.”

Before Mu Chuan could reach out, Lin Daiyu withdrew her hand again: "You still want me to teach you to write? From now on, I'll be your master, and it's the master who should slap the disciple's palm."

Her appearance made Mu Chuan's heart itch unbearably. He slowly stretched out his hand: "It's okay if you hit me a couple of times."

To everyone's surprise, Lin Daiyu suddenly became serious: "People are eating. Besides, what if you study well and become successful without being beaten?"

What else could Mu Chuan do? He could only sigh dramatically and helplessly, "It's only been half a month since we last met..."

"Though it was only half a month, it felt like two years."

"If you calculate it that way, we haven't seen each other for forty-five years."

"A day apart feels like three autumns, and three autumns is nine months." Lin Daiyu laughed and said, "That poem talks about three months, three autumns, and three years. If three autumns is three years, then what is three years?"

Mu Chuan sighed, "It seems that not only will you have to teach me to write, but you will also have to teach me these poems and allusions."

"If you have two more meals with me, maybe I'll agree."

After the meal, the innkeeper personally brought over a plate of fruit.

It was the season of the Lunar New Year, and most of the fresh fruit was delivered by horseback. It wasn't worth a fortune, but it was something that ordinary people couldn't afford. Mu Chuan appreciated his kindness and asked with a smile, "The dishes today are good, and the waiter's cuts are quite good too. This is my reward for him."

Mu Chuan took out a silver ingot and placed it on the table.

The shopkeeper thanked the shop assistant for the reward and then said with a smile, "There's one more thing I need your help with. The old Mr. Deng who came last time made some really good pastries. I know he's opened his own shop now, so I'm just asking if he could supply us with some special pastries."

Mu Chuan laughed and said, "You're quite well-informed. I do indeed have a 30% stake in his shop. I've agreed. Go and talk to him. His skills are truly excellent; even His Majesty praised them."

The shopkeeper was even happier. He thanked him and came out. Mu Chuan then said to Lin Daiyu, "In our shop, just tell us what you want to eat, and we'll have him make it for you."

Lin Daiyu was the daughter of the Salt Commissioner, so she naturally understood that one couldn't open a shop in the capital without a powerful backer, and she also understood what the 30% share was all about. But now her mindset was different, and what she cared about more was the word "us".

Her third brother had said it many times before, but she never took it to heart.

"Third Brother is so kind." Lin Daiyu sighed, "Does Third Brother know when my birthday is? — You don't have to tell me, just knowing is enough."

Mu Chuan nodded knowingly; she was embarrassed. She looked beautiful when she was shy, beautiful when she was being playful, and beautiful when she was teasing him—sorry, he thought that too.

What do you want for your birthday?

"I don't know either." Lin Daiyu thought for a moment: "Ever since I met Third Brother, I've gotten a lot of good things. Third Brother always thinks ahead of everything. I—I want a floral dress. My grandmother said that when she was young, Liao Ji published a butterfly dress. When you walk, the butterfly looks like it's flying. The whole capital loved it. I want a floral dress to be like that."

Mu Chuan looked at him with a blank expression: "Is this what you call a request?"

Lin Daiyu chuckled twice: "Third Brother, think for yourself. Oh, and don't give it to me according to the age of one, two, or three. Next year—you know, I'll give it to me according to that age."

The two came out one after the other and strolled around the miniature version of the Su family garden in the courtyard. Lin Daiyu asked again, "When is Third Brother's birthday?"

She initially just wanted to know her third brother's birthday, but she was a little embarrassed to ask directly, so she used her own birthday as a starting point. Unexpectedly, he changed the subject and acted as if she was specifically asking for a gift.

Honestly, it's all Third Brother's fault.

"Around May, or August is also fine."

"Is it even possible to calculate the order of before and after? And what about August?"

“My family used to be farmers, as you know. My original name was Mu San. My parents only knew the character three, so they didn’t have the time or inclination to remember my birthday. They only remembered that it was around the Dragon Boat Festival. As for August, that’s the day my godfather found me, which is also considered my birthday.”

Lin Daiyu's eyes immediately reddened.

"What's there to be sad about?" Mu Chuan smiled and comforted her. "Let me ask you, since you know I have two birthdays, how many gifts are you planning to give me?"

Lin Daiyu burst out laughing: "Third Brother is quite cunning."

Mu Chuan then teased her, saying, "Only cunning people would think I'm cunning; most people would sympathize with me."

"We're both quite cunning," Lin Daiyu said, feigning comfort but actually teasing.

After walking around for a while to digest their food, and seeing that it was almost time, Mu Chuan decided to take her home. Lin Daiyu then asked, "How is Aunt Zhou?"

Mu Chuan said, "I didn't know that. The case was handled by the magistrate of Wanping County, and I haven't asked about it yet. Tomorrow is the Ministry of Personnel's banquet, and he should be going too. I'll ask him then."

Having finished the serious stuff, here comes the even more serious stuff: "But you don't need to worry too much about her. This Zhou Mama's life has been quite eventful. She's lived in the Duke's mansion, been imprisoned, and is about to be sent to the barracks as a laborer. Putting aside everything else, most of the officials in the court have had more dramatic and bizarre lives than her."

"And then there's the road from the capital to Pingnan Town—that's where my parents have only ever been to the capital in their entire lives, and their activities are limited to a radius of 120 li. As for her? Five thousand li, goodness, even a thousand li would take five long trips to catch up with her."

Lin Daiyu didn't know how her third brother could say such sarcastic things with such a serious face. She laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight: "You want me to teach you poetry, idioms and allusions? Nobody knows idioms as well as you."

The two returned by carriage. This time, Lin Daiyu was less nervous. She even had the mood to comment again: "Third Brother and the carriage are indeed not a good match."

Back at the Rongguo Mansion, Mu Chuan gave a couple more necessary but pointless instructions, and only took his leave when the sedan chair arrived.

Zijuan followed silently the whole time. She hadn't found a chance to ask Uncle Zhongyong a question alone all day, and she was filled with frustration. When she returned to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, she finally couldn't hold back anymore.

“Young lady, it seems you’ve overstepped your bounds with the Earl of Zhongyong. After all, he is an earl and an elder. Young lady, you should show him more respect.”

"Nonsense." Lin Daiyu wasn't annoyed at all, and even spoke with a smile: "I call him brother."

She brought Zijuan out today specifically for this, didn't she?

If you take Xueyan out, she basically doesn't react to anything she sees or hears.

Only Zijuan, though loyal, also felt that the Rongguo Mansion was a good place and that "Miss Lin should be with Master Bao."

He deliberately let her hear a few words, just so that Zijuan could see what her third brother was really thinking.

So, both Third Brother and she have problems, but Third Brother just doesn't think she has any problems, so it's still Third Brother's problem.

Third Brother is bad.

Lin Daiyu chuckled lightly, "Alright, go and rest, don't tire yourself out. Xueyan, bring that light purple dress, I'm going to check on Master Bao."

When Lin Daiyu arrived at Yihong Courtyard, she smiled as soon as she entered: "It's lively today, everyone's here. It's even more lively now that I'm here."

Jia Baoyu sat on the couch, not wearing an outer robe, but only a casual short coat. Although he still wore his jade pendant around his neck, he did not wear a crown on his head, but only tied it with a ribbon, and covered his face with his hands.

Across from him sat the three sisters, Shi Xiangyun and Xue Baochai. Shi Xiangyun was looking at herself in the large mirror, while Xue Baochai stood by the multi-treasure pavilion, seemingly looking at something.

"Sit down, Lin Daiyu," Jia Baoyu said with a smile. "Xiren, serve the tea."

Shi Xiangyun said, "It's just in time that Sister Lin is here. Can you take a look and see if Brother Ai's face is better? I think it's still a little swollen, but they all say it's all better."

"So you were so shy about looking at your beloved brother that you covered your face? What's there to see? It's just a matter of resting for a couple more days. In my opinion, you should rest well first, so as not to worry your grandmother."

Xue Baochai smiled and said, "That makes sense. Brother Bao is the most filial. How can we let the old lady worry about you? Go and pay your respects when you feel better."

Jia Baoyu felt that Lin Daiyu was different from usual, especially her smile, which was somewhat frightening, but this fear was not annoying; on the contrary, it made him want to get closer to her.

"Actually, I'm almost fully recovered." He got off the bed and called to Xiren, "Help me change my clothes. Please sit for a while, and we'll go together to pay our respects to the old lady."

Tan Chun felt somewhat awkward after hearing about Lin Daiyu and the Earl of Zhongyong. She smiled and said, "If Sister Lin comes, Baoyu will feel better."

In the past, Lin Daiyu would usually feel shy when she heard such words. Today, she did feel shy, but it was mostly an act.

"He's probably craving the food in the old lady's house. Whenever he's sick, we tell him to eat light meals, but he's not really sick. It's the New Year, and we're eating meat and drinking soup, while he only has plain porridge. It's like taking his life!"

The group laughed along, and Jia Baoyu's voice could be heard from inside the room: "Lin Daiyu always teases me."

After Jia Baoyu changed his clothes and put on his hat, the group walked together into Grandmother Jia's room.

Having spent many years with Lin Daiyu, Jia Baoyu undoubtedly mastered the art of reading between the lines.

He walked silently to Lin Daiyu's side and asked in a low voice, "When you first arrived, I saw you and knew you wanted to see me. Is there anything I can do for you?"

His words made Lin Daiyu feel a little embarrassed, but after so many years in the Rongguo Mansion, she had been used as a shield by Jia Baoyu many times, so it was only right for her to use Jia Baoyu as a shield now.

Moreover, this apology wasn't directed at Jia Baoyu, but at her third brother.

"I feel like I've been eating too much oily food these past two days. Tomorrow I'll ask Li Gui to go to the Wuyue Guild Hall and order some dishes for me. I have a sign here. Let me think about what I want... Hmm, I'll have a sweet osmanthus porridge, a plum blossom cake, a meat-filled glutinous rice ball, and two side dishes. I'll order whatever they have that's fresh."

"We can make plum blossom cakes too, why do we need to order from there?"

Naturally, that's so that I'll have something to talk about with my third brother next time.

Lin Daiyu glared at him: "If you don't want to, then forget it. I'll go find Steward Lai."

"Good sister, I was just asking," Jia Baoyu quickly pleaded.

"Don't forget, I'll have the maid bring the plaque over in a bit, and it'll all be recorded in the Earl of Zhongyong's account."

Lin Daiyu didn't know why she said the last sentence, but she was indeed quite happy to say it.

Jia Baoyu immediately wilted.

Although Jia Baoyu didn't know the philosophical saying, "Your future doesn't need me, but I am involved in your present," his feelings were so complicated that even mixing all the seasonings in the kitchen couldn't bring out the complex emotions in his heart.

When they arrived at Grandmother Jia's room, after everyone had exchanged greetings, Grandmother Jia held Jia Baoyu's hand and examined him for a long time: "Does your face still hurt? Does it hurt when you eat? Let's have some porridge instead."

Jia Baoyu was not happy: "I'm much better. I've been eating nothing but porridge these past few days, and I'd like to eat something salty and flavorful."

"You're already craving it after just a few days of bland food?" Grandmother Jia laughed. "I have some pickled goose jerky, I'll steam a couple of pieces for you to eat with your porridge."

The group then went to the flower hall for dinner.

Lin Daiyu had lunch with the Earl of Zhongyong, and the old women of the Jia family knew this, so the dinner prepared for her that evening was also to her liking.

"This is barley, taro, and milk porridge for Miss Lin."

That's why the servants of the Rongguo Mansion are said to have the sharpest eyes, the best at seeing the situation, and the best at changing their stance according to the wind. This can be seen not only from their drastic change in attitude towards her, but also from how they call Yingchun "Second Wooden Head" and Tanchun "Rose."

One pricks but it's fine; the other pricks your hand if you just touch it.

This perfectly illustrates that while everyone dares to bully Yingchun, everyone must respect Tanchun.

Lin Daiyu then praised, "Aunt Meng is getting better and better at serving people these days." She took out a silver ingot from her purse and handed it over, saying, "It's the New Year, Aunt Meng, please be happy too."

Aunt Meng was naturally delighted, after all, Lin Daiyu had given her a two-tael silver ingot.

"Thank you, Miss Xie Lin!"

"Why thank me? You deserve it." After all, the silver was given by Zhou Mama. Although the tips used to be a few hundred coins, now it's suddenly increased to two taels… As for whether it will raise prices in the Rongguo Mansion—

Lin Daiyu smiled at Xue Baochai, knowing that she was definitely not the one who was most worried.

Xue Baochai was genuinely confused.

Putting herself in her shoes, if she had a "third brother" as good as the Earl of Zhongyong in every way, she definitely wouldn't waste any more time at the Rongguo Mansion.

But why is that girl Lin starting to follow her example and generously rewarding the old woman?

Surely the Earl of Zhongyong couldn't have come here to help her become Bao Er's wife, could he?

Xue Baochai was preoccupied. She could barely manage to eat without talking, but when they chatted after the meal, everyone could tell that she was absent-minded.

Grandmother Jia then said, "If you're tired, go home early. It would make me seem heartless."

Xue Baochai and Aunt Xue hurriedly apologized, with Xue Baochai smiling apologetically, "I've been playing around these past two days and I'm exhausted."

Grandmother Jia ignored them and instead lovingly instructed, "Baoyu, go back and rest too. You all go back as well. I haven't rested enough yet, so I need to go to bed early as well."

Grandmother Jia chased everyone out. Just as Jia Baoyu was about to speak with Lin Daiyu, he saw Lin Daiyu smilingly taking Xue Baochai's arm.

Xue Baochai was startled. Lin Daiyu lowered her voice and whispered, "I misunderstood you before. You really have it tough."

Putting aside everything else, from the day the Xue family moved into the Rongguo Mansion, the Xue family ceased to exist, because they had abandoned their own "gate" and moved under the gate of the Rongguo Mansion.

Xue Baochai chuckled twice and said haphazardly, "What's so difficult about it?"

She harbored resentment but dared not refute anything. Lin Yatou was now gaining momentum; from before the Lunar New Year until now, she had been mocking her almost three times a day, making her feel like she was eating dinner with her.

"I only realized today when I went out that even something as simple as a carriage is divided into different classes. If you weren't at the Rongguo Mansion, where we've always lived and eaten together, I wouldn't have noticed this. It was only after seeing other people's carriages today that I realized how important it is to have a presentable appearance. No wonder you always say you want to be respectable."

Xue Baochai just wanted to shake her arm off. How could she be so eloquent? How could she so easily pierce someone's heart!

“My third brother’s carriage is big and spacious, requiring four horses to pull it. But ordinary people can only ride in a small carriage pulled by one horse. Let alone my third brother, even you would feel cramped if you squeezed in.”

It goes without saying who the ordinary family that specifically reread the book is referring to, right?

Xue Baochai gritted her teeth: "Our Xue family ancestors—"

"Don't keep advising Miss Xing to be frugal. After all, she is the daughter of an official's family. Why can't she think about dressing up in a luxurious manner? Although she is from a poor family now, she still has a social standing. Apart from bright yellow, which no one else can wear, what else is there that she can't wear? If people didn't know your character, they would probably think you are jealous of her."

After Lin Daiyu finished speaking, she smiled and thought, "No wonder Xue Baochai has to lecture people every day and pretend to be a loving mother to her. It's quite amusing."

"You think so? Well, don't worry, I won't tell anyone else this, I'll only tell you."

Lin Daiyu had a "we're the best of friends" look on her face, and Xue Baochai quickly pointed to the intersection, her voice barely audible: "It's cold, you should go back quickly, I need to hurry too, it'll get dark soon."

“Sister Bao, what are you afraid of in the dark? You know this road better than the people in the small kitchen, you won’t fall.”

In the Grand View Garden, there was neither Madam Xue nor Aunt Xue. Although Tan Chun hadn't heard what was said earlier, she saw Xue Baochai about to flee in panic, so she immediately followed suit.

Since I might as well say it, I might as well.