Chapter 25: Prelude.
When Xue Baochai returned, Aunt Xue was secretly shedding tears. She was immediately alarmed and rushed forward to support her mother's shoulders, asking, "Mother, what's wrong?"
Aunt Xue cried as she said, "Your brother's marriage is still undecided, and your aunt has no say in your matter either. Right now, they're looking for a suitable young lady for Baoyu. How can I not cry?"
Upon hearing her mother's words, Xue Baochai's face also turned ugly. When she went to the capital back then, she never imagined that things would turn out this way.
Thinking about all the effort she had put in over the years, yet had gained nothing, Xue Baochai couldn't help but shed tears.
However, she couldn't count on her brother, and her mother was indecisive. Xue Baochai knew that crying with her mother wouldn't solve the problem, so she slowly made plans in her mind. After a while, she wiped away her tears.
"Mom, when my brother went out to trade last time, he stopped by Guihua Xia's house. He mentioned it several times when he came back, saying that they have a daughter who is literate and good-looking. My brother is interested in her. Mother, why don't you discuss it with Aunt and Feng'er and find a suitable person to propose marriage to them?"
“The Xia family of Guihua?” Aunt Xue stopped crying and thought for a moment. “They are old relatives of ours and are both imperial merchants, so they are a good match. However, we don’t really need to hide your brother’s situation from our own family. I’m afraid they might not be interested in him.”
When Xue Pan forcibly abducted Xiang Ling and killed Feng Yuan, he simply shrugged it off, seemingly without suffering any loss. However, Jia Yucun's subsequent judgment rendered Xue Pan a living dead man.
Both the Wang and Jia families approved of Jia Yucun's treatment and promoted him one after another. How could the Xue family, who were dependent on others, dare to say anything?
Xue Baochai said, "That's why we need Aunt and Feng to step in. Once the Xia family knows that the Duke's Mansion has sent someone to propose marriage for my brother, they will definitely agree."
Aunt Xue was delighted to hear this, saying, "Yes, yes, as long as your aunt intervenes, nothing is impossible, but..." She then hesitated, "How could your aunt agree? She's already..."
"Mom!" Xue Baochai interrupted her mother, "Just tell Aunt that the Xia family only has this one daughter, and she will agree." After saying that, she leaned close and whispered a few words in her ear.
The Xue family is currently facing difficulties and needs a generous dowry to support them; the Jia family is in the same boat.
Aunt Xue nodded, but felt it was a pity: "After they take away one layer, how much will our family have left? I don't know if we can still raise enough for your dowry..."
Xue Baochai shook her head: "If we don't let them take it, we won't get a single bit."
That's true. Aunt Xue wasn't so upset. She looked at her daughter and asked, "Your brother's matter is settled, what about yours?"
Lately, Xue Baochai gets a headache whenever people mention marriage. She took a deep breath and said, "I'll do my best to please my aunt this time. She'll try to find me a suitable family."
Xue Baochai is almost twenty, and if she doesn't get married soon, she'll really be an old maid! There are countless people secretly laughing at her, so she has to be anxious!
Aunt Xue became anxious upon hearing this: "What! Then...what...what should we do about Baoyu?"
"Mother, don't think about him anymore. Auntie has made up her mind not to take him..." Xue Baochai was, after all, an unmarried girl. Being so disliked by her own auntie, she couldn't help but choke up. "Why don't we take advantage of the opportunity and make other plans?"
Over the years, the best family their family could marry into was the Jia family, and Aunt Xue was really unwilling to give up now.
She was used to listening to her daughter and couldn't think of resisting for the time being, so she just agreed: "Okay, I'll talk to your aunt another day."
Xue Baochai nodded. She had no idea that her mother's trip would trigger a series of unimaginable events that would implicate her.
...
Just as Daiyu finished sorting out the many rewards and making arrangements for the gifts to be given away, Zhao Qing once again came to the Jia family on the orders of Prince Duan.
Since Daiyu is currently living in Grandmother Jia's courtyard, Zhao Qing's visit will inevitably involve the old lady, but this time there will be no other outsiders present.
Zhao Qing smiled and said, "The prince saw that the young lady liked this zither last time, so he specially ordered me to send it to you."
When Daiyu saw that the zither belonged to Prince Duan, she thought of the music she had heard that day and felt a sense of loss.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Daiyu said, rising to her feet.
Zhao Qing bowed and said, "Miss Lin, His Highness has repeatedly instructed you not to be so polite."
Daiyu smiled and said, "Etiquette must not be disregarded."
Zhao Qing dared not say more and could only bend his waist even lower. Daiyu had no intention of making things difficult for him, and after sitting down, she said, "Please sit down and have a cup of tea, sir."
Seeing Zhao Qingcheng's fearful attitude, Grandmother Jia secretly pondered that Prince Duan valued Lin Yatou highly, but for some reason, he was indifferent to the Jia family.
As for Prince Duan, Grandmother Jia had no way to deal with him, so she still had to ask Lin Yatou to do some work.
After seeing Zhao Qing off, Grandmother Jia held Daiyu's hand and said, "Good child, it's kind of the Prince to care so much. Since you can't see him right now, you should at least give him some gifts in return."
Daiyu lowered her eyes and said, "I cannot refuse the prince's gift. If I give it to the prince... wouldn't that be considered a secret exchange?"
“This silly girl…” Grandmother Jia laughed, “You two are already engaged, and it’s not like you’re keeping it a secret, so why is it so serious? I think you’ve been studying too much and become too naive.”
Daiyu smiled and said, "But I have nothing to give Your Highness."
Grandmother Jia hurriedly smiled and said, "Your needlework is not very good, but you have always been good at it. You should hurry up and embroider some handkerchiefs and purses so you can give them as return gifts next time. I wonder if Prince Duan likes girls who write poetry? Yu'er, has Prince Duan given any hints?"
Prince Duan liked her, but Daiyu never wrote poems to please anyone.
Daiyu smiled slightly and said, "Grandma, you don't know. The Prince is a man of few words and doesn't like to see people. I've only seen him a few times in front of the Empress Dowager. How could I know these things?"
"Is that so..." Grandmother Jia was somewhat doubtful. After only a few times, seeing how respectful this close attendant of Prince Duan was, it didn't seem like he was only being respectful to the Empress Dowager because of Prince Duan's filial piety. Prince Duan must value Daiyu very much. Could it be that he could act like this after only a few times?
Upon seeing Daiyu's face, Grandmother Jia immediately dispelled her doubts. Given her character, it wouldn't be surprising if she looked at someone differently after just one visit, let alone several.
In the end, it still has to be Lin girl.
If she can win over Prince Duan now, it will be easy for her to keep him after they get married. By befriending the Jia family, it will only take a word for Daiyu to know that she needs to rely on the Jia family.
Grandmother Jia was relieved, stroked Daiyu's cheek, and said with a smile, "Keep doing your needlework for now. Who knows when the Prince will send you something, or when you'll need it for the betrothal ceremony."
Despite the loving smile, Daiyu felt a chill run down her spine.
...
Aunt Xue went on and on about wanting to propose marriage to the Xia family. Madam Wang wasn't a smart woman, but with the Xue family hinting at it so much, she wasn't entirely oblivious to what they meant.
Lady Wang herself was not short of money, but the Jia family's accounts were already filthy and urgently needed to be replenished. By agreeing to the Xue family's request, the Jia family could temporarily solve their immediate crisis, and she herself could also gain some benefits, which was quite good.
Madam Wang nodded and sent someone to fetch Feng'er. Aunt Xue was overjoyed and flattered her sister a few times.
Just as Madam Wang was feeling quite pleased with herself, a voice from outside announced, "Miss Lin has arrived!"
Madam Wang's face immediately fell, but she tried to put on a warm smile in the blink of an eye. However, her eyes were cold and her mouth was straight, making her face look very strange, which made Aunt Xue tremble in her heart.
Ever since that commotion at Miss Lin's place, Baoyu has been in a daze since returning home, and there's been no sign of improvement. The matchmaker hasn't brought any good news either…
Aunt Xue knew her sister well; she would definitely blame it all on Miss Lin.
Thinking that Daiyu had already entered, he curtsied and said, "Greetings, Madam and Aunt."
"Why has the eldest daughter come here?" Madam Wang asked with a forced smile.
Daiyu smiled and said, "The palace has bestowed upon us fine fabrics and some medicinal herbs and tonics. I dare not enjoy them all by myself, so I have taken out some suitable ones to show my respect to my elders."
Madam Wang maintained her composure and said, "We don't lack these things, so you should keep them safe."
"I knew that our elders lacked nothing, they just wanted to show their filial piety," Daiyu said politely.
Aunt Xue looked at her and felt that Miss Lin was a rare good girl in the world, but she, as her older sister, just didn't like her. She wouldn't even offer her a cup of tea, let alone let her sit down.
Lady Wang had nothing else to say, so she could only tell Yuchuan to accept it. It was just a piece of high-quality material. Even though the Jia family was struggling, they weren't that poor. What was there to show off?
Daiyu smiled and said to Aunt Xue, "I just went to Aunt's place, but Aunt wasn't home. Please have Sister Xiangling accept the things first."
Aunt Xue smiled warmly: "Oh dear, you've made the trip. You could have just sent a little maid over. I've been too busy lately. Your sister and I will come to see you another day."
Daiyu smiled and exchanged a few words with Aunt Xue before bidding farewell to Lady Wang.
From beginning to end, Lady Wang made no attempt to invite Daiyu to sit down.
Not to mention those who were with Daiyu, even Aunt Xue and the servants in the room couldn't help but murmur among themselves. Madam Wang, who usually ate vegetarian food and chanted Buddhist prayers, was being far too harsh on the younger generation today.
Daiyu didn't complain at all; she was just doing her best to fulfill her proper etiquette. As for how others behaved, it all depended on their upbringing.
If a dog bites you, are you going to bite it back?
Inside, Aunt Xue sighed to Madam Wang, "Miss Lin is so well-mannered; only she could be a princess. Poor Bao'er, she doesn't even have a home yet..."
Madam Wang sneered and said, "Look at you, so short-sighted. You've only got a little something to offer. And you're still the Imperial Concubine's aunt!"
Seeing that she was angry, Aunt Xue dared not say much, but she was dissatisfied. Is this the same thing? Your daughter is noble as a concubine, and no one has said anything bad about her, but does that conflict with saying that Miss Lin is good? Why don't you pay attention to what I said about Bao'er!
Lady Wang grew increasingly indignant. Baoyu was obsessed with her, yet they couldn't find a suitable marriage partner, while the Lin family's maid could act arrogantly in front of her. It was truly despicable!
"Come here." Madam Wang whispered a few words to Aunt Xue. Aunt Xue was shocked and shook her head repeatedly, but then Madam Wang said, "After this matter is settled, I will make arrangements for Bao'er's matter."
Aunt Xue shook her head rapidly, but under pressure from Madam Wang, she finally nodded before Wang Xifeng entered the room.
A note from the author:
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