Chapter 66 It is impolite not to reciprocate.
"Grandmother, I'm back! I heard that Sister Xue came today..."
After finishing his studies, Baoyu went to Rongqing Hall. Just as he arrived at the door, a maid told him that Mrs. Xue and her daughter from Jinling had arrived.
He strode in and immediately saw an unfamiliar woman in the room. She was slightly plump, with fair skin and large, bright eyes that seemed to carry a hint of sorrow.
The awkwardness between Aunt Xue and Baochai was finally relieved by Baoyu's arrival.
At this moment, Wang Xifeng also came over.
She had gone with Madam Wang to welcome Aunt Xue, and since they had told the Xue family to stay at Pear Fragrance Courtyard, she had people tidy up the place, and she was busy until now before she finally arrived.
With such a shrewd and charming person present, the Xue mother and daughter immediately felt as if they were bathed in a spring breeze, as if the awkwardness just now had never happened.
"I heard you didn't go to school today?"
After exchanging greetings with Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai, Baoyu went over to Daiyu's side when Wang Xifeng came over.
"What's the big deal? Why is everyone aware of it?" Daiyu snorted.
"Maybe it'll reach Tongzhou by tomorrow!" Baoyu said with a smile, exaggerating.
Daiyu covered her face with a handkerchief, "Then I'll be too ashamed to face anyone..."
"You were allowed to skip school, are you going to do it again next time?"
"Go for it! Missing one or two times won't matter. There are many things more important than going to school!"
"Cough..." Baoyu choked, he really didn't expect Daiyu to say that.
"Tell me, what could be more important than going to school? Second Master has repeatedly taught me that nothing is more important than studying."
“Second brother, that’s far too much. The most important thing isn’t studying, but your health…” Yingchun overheard their conversation and joined in.
She often heard her family say that her eldest brother, Xianzhu, died because he ruined his health from studying too much.
What's the use of reading more books if the person is gone? Health is the most important thing.
Yingchun spoke softly, and Wang Xifeng's voice drowned it out; otherwise, it would have surely stirred up Wang's painful memories.
However, although Madam Wang did not hear it, Li Wan, who was closer to them, clearly heard it... Her expression darkened, and she looked straight at Yingchun and the others.
Baoyu noticed the gazes on him and quickly changed the subject.
"Let's put everything else aside and just talk about Lin Daiyu. What's the matter with her skipping school today?"
"Second brother, are you interrogating me?"
Baoyu's voice held a hint of sternness that he himself didn't realize, which displeased Daiyu.
"It's not uncommon for me to skip school, but today you insist on finding out why. I also want to ask you if you've memorized yesterday's article. Your second uncle said he'll have you recite it tonight, so you'd better watch out!"
Baoyu was a little unhappy when he heard this. He originally wanted to change the subject and not mention things like "studying" or "health". In his haste, he became a little stern, but Daiyu noticed it and seized on his sore spot.
"I could recite the same book from memory when I was with Granny Yuan, but when I got to the master's, it was like swallowing a bitter melon seed—I couldn't swallow it or spit it out..."
“If you can recite it perfectly and speak it fluently, your father won’t have a reason to punish you,” Grandmother Jia added.
When the children were talking, Grandmother Jia found it amusing to listen and didn't disturb them. She would only interject a word when she saw the two of them about to blush, to let them calm down.
However, today Grandmother Jia has taken sides.
Upon hearing Grandmother Jia's words, Daiyu proudly raised her chin.
"Look, even the old lady says so. You'd better memorize it a few more times!"
Baoyu was furious, but there was nothing he could do.
Seeing that things were going well, Daiyu knew when to stop. Noticing Baoyu's displeasure, she quickly tugged at his sleeve and tried to coax him.
"Second brother, my nanny made Dongding Oolong tea jelly and red bean fish-shaped cookies. Would you like to try some?"
"Is there a share for me?"
"Of course! These fish-shaped biscuits were made especially for you! I guarantee they'll taste even better than before!"
Baoyu raised the corners of his mouth.
"Go now?"
"No, that won't do. We'll wait until after school this afternoon," Daiyu gently shook her head.
Baoyu was disappointed. Daiyu's eyes darted around quickly, then she tugged at Baoyu, handed him something, and whispered, "..."
"Just smell it, don't eat it!"
Baoyu understood immediately, his face lit up with joy, and he nodded almost imperceptibly.
The interaction between the two did not escape the notice of Baochai, who was sitting quietly to the side.
At this moment, Baochai felt as if her heart was being fried in oil.
She thought she was already one of the best women, outstanding in appearance, character, and interpersonal skills.
She was also the daughter of a very wealthy family, and was well-informed and knowledgeable.
She has always been strict with herself and lenient with others, and everyone she meets praises her.
She was very confident that even in Kyoto, everyone would fawn over her.
But after arriving at the Rongguo Mansion today, she realized that those who are truly pampered are so fearless, not needing to strictly abide by any ladylike etiquette, not needing to stand properly or sit upright, and not needing to speak according to others' preferences...
She envied Lin Daiyu from the bottom of her heart.
Lin Daiyu, whom she envied, then stood up and went to Lady Wang's side.
"Second Aunt, I made a lot of cat biscuits with Granny this morning. I'll bring you a jar of them later..."
"Lin girl, I don't keep cats. Thank you, but you should keep it for your cat!" Madam Wang said in a nonchalant tone.
"Second Aunt, this is for your Western pug. It loves this too..." Daiyu kept talking, "It helps supplement the dog's nutrition, keeps it from getting sick, and prevents it from chewing and biting things randomly."
Mrs. Wang thought for a moment, and realized that the pug hadn't been eating much lately... so she nodded.
"I'll have someone go to Rongyue Courtyard to get it in a bit."
"Second Aunt, there's something else. I heard from the old lady last time that my eldest sister is still in charge of Consort Zhen's cats and dogs..."
Upon hearing these words, Madam Wang had an idea and quickly said...
"What did Granny Yuan say?"
"Granny didn't say anything, but I was thinking that if we have good things at home, the cats and dogs will get sick less often, which would save Big Sister a lot of trouble. Don't underestimate these small things; if they accumulate, they will always benefit Big Sister."
"Good child, it's admirable that you think so far ahead." Madam Wang was deeply moved.
A smile curved at the corners of Daiyu's lips.
They still live in Rongguo Mansion. Although the second aunt sometimes looks at her unkindly, the second uncle is still her biological uncle after all. She has sent many rare calligraphy and paintings to Rongyue Courtyard, and the second uncle has also collected the best of the four treasures of the study that she uses for writing for her.
I heard that my second uncle treated my mother, Jia Min, in the same way back then.
The old woman said, "It is impolite not to reciprocate."
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