Chapter 75 Baochai is removed from the list
Hearing the commotion outside, Aunt Xue hurried out and welcomed Baoyu into the house.
"My son, in this freezing weather, why did you come all this way without anyone by yourself?" Aunt Xue led Baoyu inside, and Xue Pan took the opportunity to sneak away, but she pretended not to see it.
“Aunt, I’ve come to see you and Sister Bao. You have nothing to do today, why don’t you come over to our place? I saw that Madam is also free today.” Baoyu took the hand warmer that Aunt Xue handed him.
"Because your little sister Bao is not feeling well and has a cough, she can't go out, so I'm staying home with her," Aunt Xue said with a loving smile.
“Since Sister Bao is sick, why don’t we invite the imperial physician to take a good look at her? The imperial physician who came to our house last time was quite good. Why don’t we have someone invite him over?” Baoyu recommended the imperial physician to Aunt Xue in a serious tone.
"It was that imperial physician we invited. He's taking medicine now and is almost fully recovered." Aunt Xue led him into the inner room.
Baochai was sitting on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), flipping through a flower picture book, finding pretty flower patterns, and drawing them for Ying'er next to her.
Baoyu had seen Daiyu draw flower patterns, but Daiyu seemed to have countless patterns in her mind, and could draw very exquisite patterns at will. However, Daiyu would only draw one pattern every ten days or half a month, and a single pattern would be treasured by the people in the sewing room.
The maids in his room also did the same thing, just as depicted in this way.
He unconsciously compared the two and deeply felt that Baochai was far inferior to Daiyu.
Baochai invited Baoyu to sit down, and the two exchanged a few words. Baoyu felt that it would be better to watch Lin Daiyu and the others make clothes, which would be much more lively. Even if he were to help out by fetching scissors and handing over needles and thread, it would seem much more interesting than being here.
Therefore, when Xiren came looking for him, he went back with her.
After seeing Daiyu off, Aunt Xue returned and started talking about Baochai.
“You’re growing up so fast and becoming more and more opinionated. Why are you so indifferent to Baoyu when he comes over? He’s your aunt’s son and the old lady’s most beloved grandson. You should really try to get along with him.”
“Mom, I’m going to the palace in the spring. He’s not a three or five-year-old child anymore. No matter how close we are, we shouldn’t just let him into the inner room like that.” Baochai said, somewhat annoyed.
“My son, no matter what, he is still your cousin. Besides, about entering the palace…” Aunt Xue was a little uneasy. Logically speaking, there should be definite news by now, but their family still hasn’t received any. She asked her sister to find someone to inquire, but they couldn’t find out anything.
"I'll go ask your aunt again." Aunt Xue suddenly felt anxious; she always needed to find out the details to put her mind at ease.
She took her people and went to Madam Wang's main room, where Madam Wang happened to be talking to Zhou Rui's wife.
When Aunt Xue suddenly arrived, a hint of sympathy flashed across Madam Wang's face. After the maidservant served tea, Madam Wang dismissed everyone around her.
"Sister, what's this?"
Aunt Xue was unaware of the situation.
“Sister,” said Madam Wang, “my Yuan Chun has been in the palace for years, and in her private letters she always says she misses the time at home. In the palace, a place where people eat each other, if you are not careful, one wrong step can cost you your head. If I could turn back, I would never have sent Yuan Chun to the palace.”
Aunt Xue felt uneasy. Was her sister telling her all this because she missed Yuan Chun? It seemed not. It appeared that there was progress in Baochai's entry into the palace, and her sister was telling her in advance.
“Sister, that’s the imperial palace, the most prestigious place in the world. Even as a slave or maid, one would be extremely noble there. Moreover, such a chance to rise to the top is incredibly rare outside, but there are countless opportunities inside…”
Aunt Xue thought that with Baochai's talent and beauty, as long as she could enter the palace, she would not be content with being a mere princess's companion. That opportunity to rise to the top was prepared for Baochai.
Seeing that Aunt Xue was so stubborn, Madam Wang couldn't bear to expose her illusions. However, today the Imperial Household Department sent a letter, and she was afraid that Aunt Xue's hopes would be dashed.
"Sister, don't worry. Once Baochai enters the palace, she and the eldest daughter will definitely support each other. They are cousins, and they are of one mind. If our two families put in a lot of effort outside, we won't have to worry about our daughters not having a good future in the palace!"
Aunt Xue believed that Baochai's entry into the palace was a sure thing. After entering the palace, she would definitely need the help of Yuan Chun, who had already entered the palace. Therefore, Aunt Xue spoke up early and played the emotional card well, which would make Baochai's future path easier.
Madam Wang, who had been hesitant to speak, saw Aunt Xue's audacious words and feared that if she continued, she might utter something outrageous. She quickly said...
"Just now, the Imperial Household Department sent a letter saying that because Baochai has a brother who has been convicted of a crime, she was removed from the list of candidates for the imperial examination when it was finally submitted in Jinling."
Aunt Xue was in high spirits when she suddenly heard this news. Her face turned deathly pale, and she almost collapsed into her chair. It took her a long while to say with heartache,
"My poor son!"
Lady Wang couldn't bear it and said, "Sister, the palace isn't as wonderful as you think. Otherwise... who would send their precious young lady there to serve others?"
Aunt Xue remained silent for a long while before finally making up her mind.
"Sister, I only have my good-for-nothing son and Baochai left. Now Baochai has been implicated by that good-for-nothing and can't enter the palace. I can only rely on you, sister. In the future, if you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. Now, my Xue family has nothing left but some disposable wealth, and I don't know how long it can last..."
Madam Wang was secretly delighted, but she didn't show it on her face.
"We're sisters, what's mine will naturally be yours too. Don't worry."
Aunt Xue's tears finally fell...
Xue Baochai was no longer eligible to be selected, but this news did not spread within the Rongguo Mansion.
However, since she recovered, she has been more willing to go out and hang out with her friends.
Because of her easygoing personality and open-minded behavior, she is very popular.
Although the servants of Rongguo Mansion were known for their tendency to fawn over the powerful and belittle the weak, they were surprisingly kind and generous to this Miss Bao.
On this day, Daiyu and her friends returned from school and encountered Baochai, who was coming from Lady Wang's place.
Because a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables were delivered to the Lin family's old residence yesterday, Daiyu had some sent to Pear Fragrance Courtyard as well.
When Baochai saw Daiyu, she couldn't help but thank her repeatedly.
"Sister Bao, you're too kind. There's not much food, just a little something to try. I'm glad you enjoy it."
"I have a favor to ask, sister," Baochai said somewhat shyly.
"Sister, please speak freely."
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