Chapter 8 Favoritism
The two brothers argued several times over this courtyard.
Feeling annoyed, Grandmother Jia simply locked up the courtyard and refused to open it to anyone, no matter how much they pleaded.
She also had her own selfish reasons; Rongyue Courtyard had more than ten rooms and was in a good location.
When Baoyu gets married, we should tidy up the house nicely and make a new one for him; that would be excellent.
Rongyue Courtyard is maintained and renovated several times a year. Even though no one lives there, it still needs to maintain a sense of life.
It was recently cleaned and is fully furnished, so you can move in right away.
"Grandma," Wang Xifeng called out again.
"Never mind, I was thinking that if Daiyu stayed here with me, the two of us could spend more time together." Grandmother Jia's voice carried a hint of regret.
“Grandmother, Rongyue Courtyard is only a few steps from here. Miss Lin can come eight times a day, but don’t let it get too much trouble for you!” Wang Xifeng added.
After saying that, he raised an eyebrow and glanced at Yuan Hongqu, who returned a smile.
However, she was overjoyed: it was an unexpected bonus that Daiyu could live alone in a courtyard.
Although the green gauze curtain represents Grandmother Jia's favoritism towards Daiyu, the fact that this place is called a curtain means that it is not a large place!
Although this jade-green gauze-covered cabinet was exquisitely carved and painted, it was mostly filled with a bed and a footstool, leaving only a dressing table to make it full.
This place is only about ten square meters in total; it's really too small.
Previously, Yuan Hongqu had even considered living in Lixiangyuan.
As for where the Xue family would stay when they arrived, and whether they were taking someone else's place, Yuan Hongqu didn't consider any of that.
Everything has its order of arrival. According to the plot of the book, the letter from the Xue family only arrived today, and it will be a while before they come over.
By then, they might all have moved out!
It wasn't until yesterday, when she passed by Pear Fragrance Courtyard, that she realized it was actually located in the northeast corner of the Rongguo Mansion. It was right next to the street, noisy with people, and had a door that led directly to the street.
This location would be a very convenient residence in modern times, but it's not ideal for a young lady from a prominent family. However, Xue Pan, the big fool, would definitely love this courtyard.
As for the Rongyue Courtyard that Wang Xifeng mentioned, this was the first time she had ever heard of it.
However, when Daiyu heard about Rongyue Courtyard, her eyes dimmed slightly. Could there be some hidden story behind Rongyue Courtyard?
If it stirs up Daiyu's sad memories, no matter how spacious it is, she can't live there. She would rather squeeze into this green gauze cabinet!
As Yuan Hongqu was contemplating whether to refuse Wang Xifeng's suggestion, she heard Daiyu's soft voice:
"Grandma, is this Rongyue Courtyard the one my mother used to live in?"
Yuan Hongqu immediately swallowed the words she wanted to say.
Jia Min's courtyard must be something special!
Daiyu had already accepted Jia Min's death and was no longer saddened by it. She must have just thought of what Jia Min had told her, which caused her to feel sad for a moment.
Seeing that Grandmother Jia nodded, Daiyu continued:
"Grandma, can I go and stay in the courtyard where my mother used to live?"
Her voice carried a hint of pleading and a touch of caution, as if she feared that Grandmother Jia would not agree.
Daiyu herself didn't really like the design of the green gauze cabinet. Although it was the size of a room, it was too small for her.
Because of Yuan Hongqu's influence, her personality is now not so cheerful and generous, but she is indeed less prone to melancholy.
This green gauze-covered room was a room within a room, like a big box, and she felt really suffocated living in it.
Besides, don't let her small size fool you, she brought several suitcases full of luggage, clothes, familiar decorations from home, books she often reads, and utensils she's used to...
In this gauze-covered cabinet, is there any place where she could place these things?
When Daiyu first arrived here yesterday, she was thinking:
In a place like the capital, every inch of land is precious. Even the granddaughter-in-law of a respectable family, Wang Xifeng and her husband, can only live in the side hall. How can other people's residences not be cramped?
She's wrong about that.
Wang Xifeng and her husband lived in the side hall because it connected the two courtyards, making it convenient for them to travel between them.
Actually, Jia She originally wanted Rongyue Courtyard, using the excuse that it was for Jia Lian's wedding.
However, he was beaten out by Grandmother Jia with her cane, who said that he was even trying to erase the only remaining memory his sister had left behind, which was truly unfilial!
"Besides you, who else is qualified to live in Rongyue Courtyard?"
Grandmother Jia said with pity:
"Yu'er, won't you stay with your grandmother for a few more days?"
Seeing her wish fulfilled, Daiyu tilted her head back, her soft voice flowing gently into Grandmother Jia's heart like a babbling brook:
“Grandma, when I was in Yangzhou, I didn’t have any brothers or sisters to play and study with. My sisters and cousins come over every day, and we all get together in a lively atmosphere. I love it so much… Even if I move to another place, I will still come to bother you every day. Please don’t mind me, Grandma.”
Daiyu expressed that even if she didn't live in the Bisha Pavilion, she would come to keep Grandmother Jia company every day.
Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia couldn't help but think that Daiyu didn't even have any close siblings, and even after coming here, they were still separated by distance.
Her heart ached, and she hugged Daiyu tightly, but she didn't want to bring up the matter, lest she make Daiyu sad and shed tears.
Then, pointing to the original red lotus, he made the final decision:
“You are a good person. I see that you take good care of Yu’er. When you get to Rongyue Courtyard, you must take even better care of Yu’er.”
"While Miss Lin's luggage is still unpacked, let's find some old women to come over and move everything over there."
"Yes, Ancestor, I'll go and give the order right away." Sister Feng raised her eyebrows and smiled at Yuan Hongqu, then turned and went out to give instructions.
Grandmother Jia gently stroked Daiyu's hair, thinking to herself:
It turns out that we are separated by thousands of mountains and rivers, and it is rare for us to meet.
Now that they live in the same mansion, it's only a short walk to see each other. What more could she ask for?
Her granddaughter was a noble lady from a wealthy family, and she had more than a dozen servants by her side. A small room with a green gauze curtain was indeed too cramped.
I heard that the servants brought by the Lin family were all crammed into the back room last night, and there was hardly any room left for Daiyu's luggage.
If any of these people are gossipy, when they return to Yangzhou one day, what they say will truly make the Jia family lose face far and wide.
However, the Lin family escorted Daiyu to the capital with great fanfare. Even the servants who went to greet her returned and said that the Lin family's procession was almost as grand as the prince's procession!
Judging from their behavior, the Lin family seems to be quite impressive.
Grandmother Jia thought that her Min'er had been Lady Lin for so many years, and apart from not giving birth to a son for the Lin family, everything else must have been going well for her.
Just as Grandmother Jia was feeling comforted, the three sisters came over to pay their respects.
They had just seen a group of old women carrying a cage towards Rongyue Courtyard on the road. After asking them a few questions, they learned that it was Miss Lin who had arrived yesterday, and the old lady had arranged for her to stay at Rongyue Courtyard.
The masters in this mansion who have designs on Rongyue Courtyard are not limited to the eldest master and the second master.
Tan Chun had heard the Second Madam complain that the nice courtyard was left empty and gathering dust, and no one was allowed to live there.
She also overheard Aunt Zhao and the master complaining that the place where they lived was not even as big as the first wife's living room, and that they wanted to move to a larger courtyard, and Rongyue Courtyard would be a good choice.
Jia Zheng himself doesn't even come to Rongyue Courtyard, so how could he possibly risk being disliked by Grandmother Jia for the sake of a concubine?
Now that Rongyue Courtyard has fallen into the hands of Aunt Min's daughter, it's anyone's guess how angry the First Master and Second Master will be.
Daiyu and the three sisters chatted and played together at Grandmother Jia's place, while Yuan Hongqu led people to Rongyue Courtyard to tidy up.
Along the way, they also heard the news that Xiangtao had hurriedly inquired about.
Upon hearing that both masters of the Rongguo Mansion wanted Rongyue Courtyard, Yuan Hongqu was stunned for a moment before she realized what was going on:
Wang Xifeng, I don't think I've offended you. Are you setting a trap for me?
Before Yuan Hongqu could think it through, she was already standing in front of Rongyue Courtyard.
No wonder everyone's been eyeing this courtyard; she looked at it and thought it was wonderful too. From afar, the courtyard was nestled amidst a profusion of flowers.
Winter is not yet over, and the flowers in full bloom now must be plum blossoms.
In front of the courtyard was a stream about ten feet wide. Although the spring air was still chilly, the stream had not frozen over and remained crystal clear.
A blue stone bridge spans the stream; once you cross the bridge, you enter the courtyard.
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