Chapter 84 The Rongguo Mansion's Dead End "How can people live without money..."

Perhaps because Lin Daiyu's gaze wasn't concealed much, Xue Baochai turned her head and asked, "Sister Lin?"

Xue Baoqin was still crying, and Lin Daiyu couldn't laugh in public, but the sound of "Sister Lin" coming from Xue Baoqin's mouth was somewhat unusual.

Lin Daiyu quickly added, "You just pack your things. I'll ask the Marquis of Zhongyong for some name cards and post tickets later. It won't delay you for a day on the road."

Besides this, Lin Daiyu also felt a sense of empathy and wanted to make up for the regret.

When her father fell ill that year, he wrote to her at the end of the year, saying that it was difficult to travel in winter and that she was afraid she would get sick from the journey. He also cited reasons such as the Grand Canal being frozen. He did not ask her to return until the following spring.

Sometimes Lin Daiyu thought that if she had gone back then and stayed by her father's side to comfort him, perhaps he would have survived?

Xue Baochai's eyes turned red with jealousy, especially when she thought about how Zhongyongbo had completely ignored them from last year to this year, and how her brother had personally come to visit them a couple of days ago, but hadn't even been allowed to enter by the gatekeeper. Not only did her eyes turn red, but her face also turned red.

Of course, she wasn't the only one who couldn't get past in this room. Madam Wang still had that kind and gentle look, speaking slowly and calmly, but the content of her words was not so kind.

"He's from Pingnan Town and a military officer; he probably won't be able to get by in Jiangnan, will he?"

"He's seeing people off onto the ship, but the shipowner can't exactly kick them off, can he?" Lin Daiyu said with a smile. "He also has his colleagues."

Just as Madam Wang was about to speak again, Xue Baoqin came over and bowed to Lin Daiyu, saying, "Thank you, Sister Lin."

Originally, she was afraid of offending her aunt, her cousin, the old lady, and even more afraid of offending Madam Wang, so she dared not say a word. Now that she was about to leave, what was there to be afraid of? "Sister Lin has been a great help. When I get back, I will send someone to deliver a thank-you gift to Sister Lin."

Lin Daiyu was only ever polite to a few people; she was always even nicer to others. She said, "Then I'll wait. How many of you are leaving? I think we should have the Earl of Zhongyong find a suitable boat."

Although it was already springtime, the Grand Canal was frozen in winter, and the goods accumulated over the winter could not be transported out quickly. Moreover, it was almost time to offer pufferfish, knife fish, and shad as tribute, and these had not yet been transported out. In addition, the bayberries, loquats, and lychees from the south also had to be transported through the Jiangnan region and then taken to the capital via the Grand Canal.

Xue Baoqin had traveled extensively and had been involved in the family business, so she knew about these things. She thought for a moment and said, "We came with fifteen people. Since we're leaving in a hurry, my brother and I can take a maid and two servants with us."

If everything goes smoothly, we can bring Miss Xing along. We'll just be sharing a room with her, and there won't be any difference.

Lin Daiyu nodded: "Then in three... or five days?"

“Three days,” Xue Baoqin said definitively. Her brother was helping his aunt look after the shop and was staying in her study, so there was nothing to tidy up. She was in the same situation; she had just arrived to stay in the old lady's room when the old concubine in the palace passed away, and she was sent to stay temporarily at Zhu Da's sister-in-law's place.

Lan Ge'er, who lived with Sister-in-law Zhu, was already twelve years old. Because of the difference between boys and girls, she was even more cautious and dared not even open the trunk.

That means all her belongings were packed, except for a few changes of clothes.

Lin Daiyu then said, "I'll go back and write a letter right away."

Xue Baoqin thanked her again.

Not only Xue Baochai, but also the other wives in the house who had managed the household all showed a hint of jealousy on their faces.

The Rongguo Mansion used to dare to speak like that, but now it has fallen on hard times.

Lady Wang was even worse. When she first married into the Rongguo Mansion, she watched her short-lived sister-in-law show off every day. Now that she's old and the Rongguo Mansion is under her control, she still watches her sickly daughter show off.

Wouldn't that mean she was managing the Rongguo Mansion for nothing?

Tan Chun was somewhat envious. She also wanted to speak with the same confidence as Sister Lin, but that was impossible in the Rongguo Mansion. The only way she could leave was to wait until she got married.

Getting married... what kind of family could she marry into?

Tan Chun couldn't help but look at Ying Chun again. Her second sister hadn't made a move yet, and she wondered when it would be her turn.

Lin Daiyu stood up, and Jia Baoyu suddenly said, "Since we asked the Earl of Zhongyong to do something for us, shouldn't we prepare some gifts as a token of our gratitude?"

These past few days, Jia Zheng has been teaching him, not only in terms of reading but also in terms of interpersonal skills. Although Jia Zheng's career and economic prospects are so-so, he is still much better than Jia Baoyu.

Jia Baoyu listened to the whole story, but he only heard that the Earl of Zhongyong was asked to do something, and he didn't hear that he was going to receive anything. He felt that something was wrong. Especially since, in his mind, they were not only not familiar with the Earl of Zhongyong, but also had a grudge against him.

After Jia Baoyu expressed his gratitude for the gift, the room fell silent for a moment.

Wang Xifeng rolled her eyes, Madam Wang looked impatient, and Grandmother Jia's expression was hard to read, but she didn't try to smooth things over.

Lin Daiyu smiled at Jia Baoyu and said, "Why wasn't there a thank-you gift? You just didn't know."

This is clearly just making fun of her son!

It was fine before, since she was already engaged to the Earl of Zhongyong!

Madam Wang blushed instantly: "Hurry back and write your letter, or it will get dark!" After saying that, she gave Baoyu a rare stern look, "Have you done the homework your father assigned? Hurry back and work harder so I won't have to suffer so much!"

The rest of the speech had a veiled criticism, but as the saying goes, the criticism wouldn't last long anyway. Lin Daiyu listened with a smile before leaving.

Grandmother Jia was afraid that Jia Baoyu would ask something like, "What kind of thank-you gift did you prepare for the Earl of Zhongyong? I didn't know." So, as soon as Lin Daiyu left, she said that the party was over and then said to Baoqin, "Go pack your things. Don't worry too much. It's spring now. Usually, once winter is over, the year will be fine."

Xue Baoqin thanked her and then said to Grandmother Jia, "I need to go and say a few words to the First Madam."

Grandmother Jia knew that Xue Ke and Xing Xiuyan were engaged, so she nodded and said with a smile, "It's something to talk about. She walks slowly, so you should hurry up and catch up with her."

Madam Xing was talking to Wang Shanbao's wife: "What bad luck! Father died, and my husband's family wants to break off the engagement. Mother said it was a phlegm disease. I thought it was just an excuse, but I didn't expect it to be true."

"First Madam."

Madam Xing was taken aback, her face full of embarrassment, but she quickly forced a smile to cover it up: "Why aren't you packing your things?"

Xue Baoqin said, "My mother wrote that she wants to bring Miss Xing back to Jinling to get married. I'm telling you this first, but ultimately it's up to my brother to discuss it."

Madam Xing's smile became even more awkward; she hadn't even thought of that. "I'm fine with anything. Her parents don't have any ideas, and besides, since they're engaged, she should naturally go with the man's family."

Madam Xing was originally a rather indifferent person. If she didn't send Xing Xiuyan away quickly, the marriage would fall through, and she would have to come looking for her again, which she was afraid of causing trouble.

Xue Baoqin readily agreed and accompanied Madam Xing for a while before heading to her aunt's small courtyard.

As soon as she entered, she heard her aunt scolding someone: "If you just leave like this, what will happen to your sister's marriage? After three years of mourning, she'll be almost twenty. What if—"

Xue Baoqin's eyes reddened with anger, and she went inside crying, "Brother, when are we going back?"

Aunt Xue was interrupted. She paused for a moment and said, "I'm doing this for your own good."

"Brother, why don't we stay?" Xue Baoqin sobbed, hinting, "The Mei family has been sent to another post, and they won't be back until the year after next. Even if it doesn't work out, the old lady likes me so much, she will definitely make plans for me."

Aunt Xue was startled, suddenly realizing that if she could marry into the Mei family, that would be fine, but if she were to be jilted... given the current power of the Rongguo Mansion, it was really hard to say what would happen in two or three years.

If the engagement is really called off... she can't possibly become Baoyu's concubine, can she?

Aunt Xue sighed, "Oh, I was worried about you too. Hurry up and pack your things, and give your brother Pan a proper handover. He learns things slowly, so repeat it a few more times."

Xue Baoqin slowly stopped crying, and then told Xue Ke about Madam Xing. After Xue Ke saw her out, she whispered, "I heard from the First Madam that she wants my brother to be more assertive, and she is willing to do so."

Xue Ke nodded in agreement, then whispered, "Don't worry, Mother is still the same, neither good nor bad. But think about it, she's getting old, and the fact that she hasn't gotten worse is actually an improvement. Once we get back, she'll feel more at ease, and she'll be fine."

“I’m not crying over this,” Xue Baoqin wiped away her tears. “Sister Lin said she would ask Uncle Zhongyong to help us find a boat, which would save us some trouble. I need to think about what to send her.”

As for Lin Daiyu, she quickly finished writing the letter and handed it to Xueyan: "Send it outside and find someone from the 'Lin family' to give to Earl Zhongyong."

She pronounced the name "Lin Family" with a clear intonation. Xueyan was from the Lin family, so how could she not understand what the "Lin Family" outside was all about?

Xueyan laughed, only to be glared at by her own daughter.

She walked briskly out of the Grand View Garden. The old women guarding the gate were very friendly and even asked her if she wanted to rest.

The old woman at the second gate did the same, saying, "I'll take care of Miss Lin's business first. I've prepared some water for you so you can drink it when you get back."

Xueyan thought it was great; she felt this was the kind of life a person should live.

As darkness fell, Jia Lian returned from outside, reeking of alcohol.

Wang Xifeng glanced at him: "Going to see your concubine again?"

"That's not very nice of you. She's still in her postpartum period, while I was out socializing."

Ping'er brought hot water to wipe Jia Lian's face. Wang Xifeng suddenly laughed and said, "Our family's Phoenix Egg made a fool of himself today. He even asked Lin Daiyu if she should send some gifts to the Earl of Zhongyong when he asked him to do something. The old lady's face changed, and my good aunt almost couldn't help but scold him."

"That's some progress," Jia Lian said sarcastically, then loosened his collar a little more to feel more comfortable. "Go and pour me a cup of cool tea."

Ping'er went out, but after only two steps, she came back, followed by the old woman from the main house: "Second Master, the Master requests your presence."

Jia Lian frowned, straightened his clothes, went to the outer room, and without waiting for Ping'er to do anything, picked up the teapot, touched it, and poured down a pot of cold tea.

When they arrived at the neighboring courtyard, Jia Lian went into the study and saw Jia She drinking, with two concubines pouring wine and singing songs beside him.

Jia Lian also smelled of alcohol and wasn't completely sober; his eyes were glazed over and his movements were somewhat uncontrollable.

He stared blankly at the bright red dress he had bought for eight hundred taels of silver. It looked alright, but how could it be worth eight hundred taels?

Jia She sneered at his expression: "What? You're not satisfied with one? You want another?"

He waved his hand, and the two concubines rose, bowed, and went into the inner room with their heads down.

Jia Lian quickly averted his gaze, lowered his head, and poured Jia She another cup of wine.

Jia She said, “Someone came today to ask for your sister’s hand in marriage. Sun Shaozu is twenty-nine years old this year and has never been married. He used to be a retainer of our family. He is from Datong Prefecture and is currently waiting for a position in the Ministry of War. His family has a hereditary position. Go and see him in the next few days. If it is possible, bring back the betrothal gifts. He has offered ten thousand taels of silver as a betrothal gift.”

Although Jia Lian had been drinking, he still felt that this was not a very reliable plan. The dowry should be twice the bride price, and he felt that his father could not afford such a large sum of money.

It wasn't that his father didn't have the money, but rather that he was unwilling to spend it. Jia Lian asked, "A bride price of ten thousand taels? Then the dowry should be twenty thousand?"

Jia She chuckled twice.

Jia Lian understood; this was an attempt to renege on the deal: "Master, my sister's temperament... I'm afraid it won't work."

"What's wrong with that?" Jia She didn't care much. "The old lady often says that the second branch of the family has raised my daughter very well. If she has raised her very well, why is it not good? She can afford a dowry of ten thousand taels of silver to marry a new bride. Do you think I'm afraid she will treat my daughter badly?"

Jia Lian frowned, but still tried to persuade her again: "The old lady did that on purpose. She's never even taken her own daughter out of the house. Besides, this ten thousand taels... a vacancy in the Ministry of War? What kind of hereditary position is that?"

"I don't remember, it seems to be a sixth-rank official?" Jia She took a couple of sips of wine. "This is already a rare and good marriage. The old lady only cares about treating them as toys to keep her company and relieve her boredom. As the master, I can't ignore it."

A sixth-rank military officer who would come knocking on your door is certainly not just asking for a lateral transfer. He's spending so much money because he's hoping to get a better position.

In the past, this matter could have been handled, but now the Rongguo Mansion is declining day by day. Let alone being promoted one rank, they can't even find a vacancy for a sixth-rank official.

Jia Lian said, "Master, this is a difficult matter. Wang Ziteng has been promoted, but he no longer holds a position; he's only left with a rank—"

"Who told you to ask Prince Teng for help?" Jia She glanced at him. "I have a niece who's already engaged to the Earl of Zhongyong."

Jia Lian shook his head, then remembered the Earl of Zhongyong: "...But the Earl of Zhongyong has never had any dealings with us."

“Sun Shaozu doesn’t know that.” Jia She laughed smugly. “With this connection, he wouldn’t dare do anything. He even said that he would reward you handsomely after the matter is settled.”

Jia Lian was already dizzy and lightheaded, and now his mind was completely blank: "You used the title of Marquis of Zhongyong as a cover to extort ten thousand taels from Sun Shaozu?"

“Five thousand taels, and another five thousand taels are for the Earl of Zhongyong.” Jia She said smugly, ignoring the disrespect in his words. “Don’t let it slip. Just say that you drank with the Earl of Zhongyong and got drunk. Besides, you were indeed made to get drunk last time.”

"Master, aren't you afraid—"

“Even the Earl of Zhongyong ignores you, so why would he care about Sun Shaozu? Just relax,” Jia She said. “If he were capable, he would have been successful long ago. The Earl of Zhongyong was ennobled as a first-class earl at the age of twenty-seven, while Sun Shaozu is almost thirty and still waiting to fill a vacancy. He’s just a good-for-nothing. What are you afraid of?”

Jia Lian felt drunk, and the old man's voice in front of him was rising and falling, making it impossible to understand what he was saying.

"I'm resorting to this desperate measure because you forced me to. The old lady asked me to contribute money, and you, as her son and daughter-in-law, don't even know how to be filial. How am I supposed to survive without money?"

Jia Lian returned home in a daze. Seeing Wang Xifeng brought him back to his senses. He slumped into a chair, utterly dejected. "It's all over. This time it's really all over." His master had already started using the Rongguo Mansion's reputation to swindle money and was even going to sell his daughter. What else could this be but a dead end?

On the morning of the fourth day of the third month, Xue Baoqin left Rongguo Mansion, and Lin Daiyu was waiting in the front yard for 'Mama Liu' to come and pick her up.

But... why is Third Brother here too?

Lin Daiyu, thinking about the meeting at the West Garden mentioned last time, greeted him with a smile. She then saw another person emerge from behind her third brother, none other than Li Chengwu, whom she had met last time.

"Fourth Aunt." Li Chengwu was very perceptive and immediately bowed deeply.

Lin Daiyu blushed instantly.

Mu Chuan liked her skin tone and her eyes very much. He patted Li Chengwu on the shoulder twice to encourage him, and then smiled at Lin Daiyu and said, "Not bad, this is our nephew."

Lin Daiyu glared at him: "You've blocked all your nephews."

Li Chengwu smiled and even went forward to move a stool: "Fourth Aunt, please."

While they were laughing and joking around, Jia Baoyu, who had come out for some fresh air, was so frightened that he hid behind a tree.

That's the person who hit him!

It was the Earl of Zhongyong who sent people to beat him!