Chapter 174 Revisiting

"Third sister, I like this sturdy, silly-looking one. You can't take him from me." Baoyu snatched him back.

"Look how precious these are to you. We all know this set has four pieces, and you can't wear them all. I won't fight you for this one; I'll trade mine for one of yours." Tan Chun took out her little gourd and little carp. "Give me one of yours, and you can choose any of mine, how about that?"

"Third sister and cousin have actually started a business?" Daiyu covered her mouth and laughed. "I'll be the middleman for you two this time."

“That would be perfect, Brother Bao. I really like your little radish too. I have four little lotus root-shaped ones, each one different. Shall we exchange them?” Xi Chun smiled and came over, sneakily taking out four jade pendants from her bag all at once.

She had originally planned to bring only one today, but then she remembered that Sister Lin was coming, and this was a gift from Sister Lin. Xichun had already given all four a name, wanting Sister Lin to know as well, so she brought them all. She played with one in her hand, and put the other three in her pocket.

"Everyone, be peaceful and quiet. Don't quarrel. If you ruin the harmony, you'll have wasted Yu'er's good intentions in giving you these things." When Grandmother Jia saw the children arguing, she quickly tried to mediate.

"Grandmother, rest assured, I've acted as the middleman today, and I certainly won't let them fight over this. At most, someone might be unhappy and stomp their feet a few times when they get back." Daiyu glanced at Baoyu with a half-smile, then laid out the jade pieces that the group had decided to exchange.

"Let's redistribute it."

The three sisters covered their mouths and laughed when they saw this, while Baoyu was dumbfounded.

He thought he had picked the least noticeable little radish and left the best ones for his sisters, but now they all want his little radish.

Of these jade pieces, only the little radish was inspired by a cartoon character. Yuan Hongqu drew a design and had the craftsman carve it accordingly. Unexpectedly, the exact replica turned out to be the most popular.

After whispering and discussing for a while, the group finally decided that each person would exchange one.

After the exchange, Baoyu now has one of each of the following: radish, lotus root, gourd, and carp.

"Bao'er, go and play with your sisters too." Madam Wang looked at Baochai, who had been standing respectfully to the side, unlike that girl from the Lin family, who, even after becoming a princess, was still so unruly. She even had the makeup for her face taken down, wasting the effort that had been put in by her in the middle of the night.

Baochai smiled and shook her head, "I'll just stay here with my aunt and mother."

How could Baochai not want to go? But the things Daiyu asked Baoyu to bring back yesterday didn't include her. Wouldn't going over now just make things difficult for herself? She also didn't have the nerve to go over there and listen to them talking about jade, radishes, and carp.

From the moment she arrived at the Rongguo Mansion, no matter which direction she exerted her strength, it seemed as if she was being held back by an invisible net, unable to integrate into their community.

Now Baochai has come to realize that she is merely a guest staying at a relative's house and cannot be compared to them.

However... Baochai glanced at Yuan Hongqu discreetly. Granny Yuan was sitting next to Wang Xifeng. Although her gaze seemed unfocused, a closer look revealed that she was clearly paying attention to Daiyu's situation.

Baochai noticed that when Daiyu was happy and laughing, the corners of Yuan Mama's mouth would also turn up slightly, showing that she always kept Daiyu in her heart.

Previously, when Yuan Hongqu came to Rongqing Hall, there were no seats available; at most, she would be given an embroidered stool, but she would rather stand than sit. This time, however, the old lady insisted that Wang Xifeng pull Yuan Hongqu to sit down.

The old lady also heard Jia Zheng say that when all nations came to pay tribute, Yuan Hongqu had a seat in front of the palace, but when it came to their family, they had to stand. Did their family have a bigger status than the imperial family?

Baochai also noticed this. She thought to herself that, on the surface, Yuan Hongqu was Daiyu's nanny, but in reality, she not only had connections in the palace, but also had close ties with the newly powerful Prince Xian's Mansion and Prince Zhongshun's Mansion.

How can she let Granny Yuan know her goodwill? She was too eager the last few times, which made Granny Yuan turn against her, and now she won't give them any chance at all.

Baochai thought of the plan she had discussed with her mother. Although its implementation required an opportunity, weren't opportunities created by people? Why didn't she create this opportunity and open this door?

Baochai was pondering how to begin when she heard Tanchun speak.

"The plum blossoms in Sister Lin's garden are blooming so beautifully. I was so envious of the vase of plum blossoms that Second Brother brought back yesterday. He even sent someone to look around our yard to see if any were in bloom. But only the few primroses in Rongyue Courtyard are in full bloom. Sister, would you like to go and take a look at Rongyue Courtyard?"

"I didn't realize it until you mentioned it, but now that you've said it, I actually really miss that brocade wisteria trellis in Rongyue Courtyard," Daiyu said, her heart filled with longing.

“Last summer we spent our time there escaping the heat, reading and writing, it was so enjoyable. It’s a pity that when I passed by a few days ago, all that was left were withered vines.” Yingchun felt a little regretful.

“I remember when we went there last spring, it was already lush and green. I suppose it will grow back after spring arrives. We might as well go and see the primroses first.” Daiyu said, standing up first. Children can’t sit still for long; she’s used a lot of willpower to do this!

Lady Xing and Lady Wang went to arrange the banquet, while Wang Xifeng accompanied Yuan Hongqu, asking her for advice on baby food.

After sitting for a while, Grandmother Jia thought about going out for a walk. Just as she stood up, she saw Baochai standing there all alone, and felt a pang of pity.

"Bao'er, come along too. It'll be more lively with more people."

Baochai responded and followed behind.

The group then headed towards Rongyue Courtyard.

Less than two months after Daiyu moved out of Rongyue Courtyard, everything here was exactly the same as when she left, yet it exuded a sense of emptiness and vicissitude due to the lack of residents.

The swing in the yard, which hadn't been used for a long time, made a piercing creaking sound when shaken gently, probably because it hadn't been used for a long time and was no longer as smooth as before.

And the bluestone bridge, worn smooth by countless footsteps, has lost its luster due to the dwindling number of travelers.

When they first moved into Rongyue Courtyard, it looked just like this. Later, as they lived there for a long time, it became more lively. Now that the liveliness has dissipated, everything has returned to its original state, which is unbelievably fast.

Daiyu walked slowly in the courtyard, looking at everything around her, feeling a sense of loss and change. She felt a pang of sadness for a moment, but was quickly drawn to Xichun's exclamation.

"Sister Lin, the ginseng has sprouted! Come and see!"

Daiyu turned around to look, but unexpectedly slipped and fell straight into the stream. Zijuan, who was beside her, quickly reached out to grab her, but then saw a figure faster than her, who grabbed Daiyu and pulled her in. Then there was a "plop".