Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 238 Mother and Daughter Showdown
Li Chongming is here? He's arrived just in time!
Chen Siyuan was inwardly astonished, thinking to himself that since he had promised Li Wan that day, he should try to change things this time. Judging from Li Wan's words, this person was all show and no substance, and had no real talent in the imperial examinations. At over forty years old, he was just a student of the Imperial Academy, yet he was eager to pursue an official career—a good father and a bad son, that's probably how it is.

He immediately stood up and asked, "Where is he now?"

Biyue said urgently, "Reporting to Master Yuan, our grandmother is in the south hall, and they are talking."

Chen Siyuan then said, "Okay, let's go now."

Biyue felt a little relieved and quickly led Chen Siyuan forward. But just as they passed the flower table, they saw Jia Lan coming towards them with a frown.

"Uncle Yuan!"

"Lan Ge'er?"

Jia Lan looked worried and bowed slightly. Chen Siyuan then asked, "Didn't Lan-ge go ahead?"

Jia Lan shook her head and lowered her voice, saying, "My mother just told me that if all else fails... it would be better to give all the money from offering the Diamond Sutra to my uncle—"

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "Lan-ge'er wants your uncle dead."

"Huh?" Jia Lan blinked, looking completely astonished.

If 60,000 taels of banknotes plus latex worth 15,000 taels of silver fell into Li Chongming's hands, how could he not attract the attention of villains?

"Furthermore, those bank notes cannot be redeemed for a while, so how could your uncle possibly let it go?"

Jia Lan was still young, and for a moment she frowned, at a loss. Chen Siyuan then said, "Don't worry, I'll go and answer correctly."

Jia Lan thought for a moment, then took out a wooden box from his pocket and handed it over: "In that case, I would appreciate it if Uncle Yuan could help me deal with the stock certificates and shares inside."

Chen Siyuan took the money and looked at Jia Lan, saying, "So much money... are you willing to part with it?"

Jia Lan lowered her head and whispered, "There are houses of gold in books, and beauties like jade in books..."

"Tell the truth."

"Uh—" Jia Lan raised her head and blinked before saying, "Money is too hot to handle. Even if we keep it, I'm afraid we won't be able to hold onto it. Mother said it might even bring trouble in the future. In that case, we might as well get rid of it..."

Li Wan is a clever woman.

With a sigh, he reached out and ruffled Jia Lan's hair, saying with a smile, "I'll answer the questions and make sure your uncle doesn't tell anyone." As he spoke, he handed the box back, saying, "Keep these bank notes and shares safe."

"this--"

Before Jia Lan could say anything, Chen Siyuan had already strode away with his head held high.

Chen Siyuan wasn't exactly a good person, but he wasn't completely evil either. Bullying orphans and widows to extort money? He simply couldn't bring himself to do something so shameless.

He thought to himself, "Isn't Li Chongming just obsessed with officialdom? Chen Siyuan has plenty of ways to deal with people like him."

After pondering for a while, they left the Grand View Garden and walked around to Lady Wang's courtyard. There they saw Jia Ping and several servants guarding the gate, both of them craning their necks to look inside. The courtyard was crowded with maids and old women.

Even more curious onlookers came running from afar, shouting, "I heard two experts have arrived? Have you seen what they look like?"

One of the servants muttered, "A bald-headed monk and a lame Taoist priest, these two have a divine light in their eyes, they look like reclusive masters."

"Oh my, does that mean Second Madam and Second Master Bao are saved?"

"It's hard to say, we'll just have to wait and see."

Knowing the inside story of these two, Chen Siyuan had no interest in observing them. He hurriedly bypassed Madam Wang's courtyard and headed towards the south-facing main hall.

............................................................

In the south-facing hall.

Su Yun poured the tea and said softly, "Master, please have some tea."

"Hmm—" The person in front of Li Wan responded, then couldn't help but raise his eyes to examine Su Yun for a moment before picking up his teacup.

This man was in his early forties, dressed in a blue robe, broad-shouldered and stout, with a slightly simple and honest face. He was Li Wan's elder brother, Li Chongming.

Li Chongming took a small sip of tea, then frowned and said, "The Jia family is truly rude. If it were up to me, my sister should have returned home earlier that day."

He spoke so easily, as if it were just a matter of Li Wan herself, but how could she bear to part with Jia Lan?

Li Wan immediately smiled and said, "Brother, you don't know, it's just a coincidence today. Yesterday, my sister-in-law and Baoyu were both possessed by evil spirits, causing unrest throughout the mansion. Today, a monk and a Taoist priest, two highly accomplished people, suddenly came to our door, saying they had a way to cure them... That's why everyone has gone to Madam's courtyard right now."

Li Chongming snorted coldly and said with a sneer, "Even if there's something wrong, how can we treat people so poorly?"

Just then, they heard Biyue reply from the back door, "Master Yuan is here!"

Li Wan was feeling anxious and unsure how to respond when she heard that Chen Siyuan had arrived, and she immediately felt reassured. She had already stood up, and seeing Li Chongming also standing up in surprise, she smiled and said, "This Brother Yuan is the First Madam's nephew, and he is now living in the mansion."

"Oh." Li Chongming's expression remained unchanged, though he was inwardly complaining. He thought to himself, "Sending a distant relative to receive me is really too inconsiderate!"
Li Wan continued, "This Brother Yuan is no ordinary man. He is famous throughout the world for his poetry and prose, and last year he passed the imperial examination with flying colors. He is truly a dragon among men."

"Oh?" Li Chongming immediately became serious. He had wasted half his life failing even to pass the lowest level of the imperial examinations, only managing to obtain the title of Imperial Academy student through donation for convenience. Naturally, he dared not underestimate a Juren (successful candidate in the provincial examination). After a moment's thought, he recalled Chen Siyuan, whom his father, Li Shouzhong, had mentioned. He secretly thought that this man had passed the provincial examination at the age of fifteen, and perhaps one day he would pass the imperial examination with flying colors. He couldn't help but think even more highly of him.

As she spoke, Su Yun lifted the curtain and saw a figure in moon-white robes walk in with his hands behind his back. He looked no more than sixteen or seventeen years old, tall and slender, with elegant features and exceptionally bright eyes.

Before Li Chongming could raise his hand, Chen Siyuan cupped his hands in greeting from afar, smiling before he even spoke. His words were like a gentle breeze: "Is it Brother Li in person? I, Chen Siyuan, have long heard of Brother Li's great name, but unfortunately, during my trip to Jiangnan last year, we two brothers missed each other. I must wait until I go to Jiangnan again to meet Brother Li. Who knew that Brother Li would come to the capital? Hahaha, this time my wish has come true."

Like a sedan chair carried by people, Chen Siyuan's high praise for Li Chongming made Li Chongming happily return the courtesy, saying, "Oh dear, Brother Chen, I am truly ashamed. Last time Brother Chen came to Jinling, I happened to be visiting friends for a few days, and only when I returned did I realize that I had missed seeing Brother Chen. It was truly a pity."

Chen Siyuan laughed heartily, extended his hand in invitation, and said, "Brother Li, let's sit down and talk."

"well."

After the two were seated, a maid named Suyun brought them tea with a smile.

Chen Siyuan inquired briefly about Li Shouzhong and Madam Liang's situation, praising them highly. He then said, "Since Brother Li has come to the capital, I am practically a local host, and I must do my part in showing hospitality. Today was too rushed..." He turned to Li Wan and said, "Sister-in-law, you must have said that things are currently unsettled in the household, and I cannot leave for the time being. In that case, I will host a banquet the day after tomorrow to welcome Brother Li back."

Li Chongming naturally agreed with a smile.

He then asked, "But I wonder where Brother Li is staying now?"

Li Chongming said, "As soon as I arrived in the capital, I went straight to the Rongguo Mansion to see my sister... So, I haven't found a place to stay yet."

Chen Siyuan frowned and said, "The mansion is in disarray... Since Brother Li has not yet settled down, why don't we choose a place to settle him down first?"

"No need, I—"

"Oh? Brother Li, you're being too polite! To be honest, I'm also a graduate of the Imperial Academy, so I naturally have a connection with Chancellor Li. Is Brother Li looking down on me by making such a fuss?"

"Absolutely not, it's really not good to trouble Brother Chen—"

"Haha, why bother? Brother Li, please come with me to settle in first, and we can drink and chat later."

After thinking it over, Li Chongming realized that it wouldn't be appropriate to mention the Diamond Sutra to Li Wan since he was new to the place, so he readily agreed.

Chen Siyuan immediately stood up and led Li Chongming to the nearby guild hall. As soon as they left, Li Wan breathed a sigh of relief. She thought to herself, "Thank goodness Chen Siyuan came to my aid, otherwise I really wouldn't know how to respond if my elder brother had brought up the Diamond Sutra to my face."

Biyue then leaned over and whispered what had happened to Jia Lan. Li Wan immediately frowned. The matter involved sixty or seventy thousand taels of silver, and Li Wan knew her elder brother Li Chongming's character well. How could she so readily hand over the money? She might be free then, but she feared she would only harm her brother!
Li Wan frowned and said angrily, "Nonsense... Go and find Lan'er!"

Before he could finish speaking, the door creaked open and Jia Lan entered, bowing deeply and saying, "Your son knows he was wrong."

Li Wan stepped forward, grabbed Jia Lan, and slapped him several times on the buttocks, scolding him, "Who told you to act on your own? Do you know you almost harmed your uncle just now!"

Jia Lan said in a muffled voice, "My uncle has never treated me like a nephew, so why should I—"

“Shut up! I made you study hard to learn principles, not for fame and fortune! Now you have made progress in your studies, but your heart and mind are becoming more and more cold and heartless. Rather than raising a troublemaker in the future, it is better to let you live a life of idleness and wait to die, and at least you can live a peaceful life as a spoiled brat.”

As she spoke, Li Wan's eyes reddened, startling Jia Lan so much that he hurriedly knelt down and said, "I know I was wrong, and I will never dare to talk nonsense again. Mother, please don't cry."

Li Wan wiped away her tears and remained silent for a moment. Her brother was certainly not a person of high status, but even for the sake of her parents, Li Wan couldn't bring herself to harm Li Chongming.

Of all the things in the world, family matters are the most difficult to handle. They are often unclear and difficult to explain, which is why Li Wan is currently in a dilemma.

Seeing that Li Wan was angry, Su Yun and Bi Yue quickly came up to comfort her. Bi Yue then said, "Madam, we just passed by Madam's courtyard and it looked like those two masters were performing a ritual. We should go and take a look."

Li Wan wiped away her tears, sniffed, glared at Jia Lan, and then nodded, saying, "Human life is of paramount importance. There is nothing more important. Suyun, take Lan'er back. I will go to Madam's courtyard to take a look."

Su Yun agreed and led the dejected Jia Lan back to Daoxiang Village, while Li Wan led Bi Yue to Lady Wang's courtyard.

Upon entering, they saw a monk and a Taoist priest chanting incantations over the magical jade. After a moment, the bald-headed monk handed the object to Jia Zheng, saying, "This object is already imbued with spiritual power and must not be defiled. Hang it above the threshold of the bedroom. Place the two of them in the same room, and apart from their own wife and mother, no woman should be allowed to disturb them. After thirty-three days, I guarantee they will be healthy, their illness will subside, and they will be back to normal."

Jia Zheng agreed to all their requests and hurriedly tried to persuade the two to stay for tea, but the monk and the Taoist priest burst into laughter and left without a care. Jia Zheng chased after them, and Grandmother Jia sent someone to follow them, but the two disappeared as soon as they left Ningrong Street.

Unable to do anything else, everyone had no choice but to follow the two's instructions, hanging the jade pendant on the door and moving Feng Jie and Bao Yu to Madam Wang's room. Madam Wang personally guarded the room, forbidding anyone else from entering.

After enduring two days of hardship, Grandmother Jia could no longer bear it and was helped back home by her head maid, Yuanyang, and others. The remaining ladies, including Madam Xing, Aunt Xue, and Madam You, also returned to their rooms.

The ladies, who had originally come to observe, found everyone leaving and had no choice but to return home. After dinner, the sisters gathered together, and each of them frowned, their eyes listless, and their hearts were filled with unease.

It was only natural that the three sisters and Baoyu had a brother-sister relationship; although Daiyu had long been engaged to Chen Siyuan, she still thought of Baoyu as her cousin; Xing Xiuyan did not come that day, and Xiangyun also stayed in the green gauze curtain, only Baoyu pretended to be sad, but her heart was with Chen Siyuan.

Just then, a maid rushed in with good news: "They're awake! Those monk and Taoist priest were indeed something special. Master Bao and his wife are awake! They're complaining about being hungry right now!"

A chorus of exclamations erupted from within, and the group of young ladies beamed with joy as they hurried towards Lady Wang's courtyard. In a short while, not only the young ladies arrived, but also Ping'er, Grandmother Jia, Lady Xing, Aunt Xue, Xiangyun, and others.

Because the monk and the Taoist priest had given prior instructions, everyone only asked questions from outside. Upon hearing that they had eaten rice soup and were no longer incapacitated, everyone either chanted "Amitabha" or said "May the Bodhisattva protect us."

Laughter and cheers filled the air, and the clouds in the sky seemed to disperse. After her joy subsided, Grandmother Jia, fearing that the crowd might disturb the uncle and aunt inside, urged them to return home first, promising to visit them again the next day when they were better.

The mansion seemed to have settled down, but Xiangling and Hongyu, a few others in the thatched cottage in the main hall, were still worried. It was almost dusk, and Chen Siyuan had yet to return.

They went straight up to the watchman's quarters before they saw Chen Siyuan dragging his body back.

Xiangling, Hongyu, and Wu'er hurriedly came to greet him, and Hongyu asked, "Why did it take you so long to return, Master?"

"Don't even mention it!" Chen Siyuan frowned as he entered the room, sat down, and gulped down a cup of tea before finally speaking, both amused and exasperated.

As a descendant of the Sparrow School, he naturally possessed the ability to speak to people in a way that suited their tastes. However, times had changed. Chen Siyuan had now gained power and would never stoop to flattering someone like Li Chongming, who had only purchased his official position through bribery. After settling Li Chongming, Chen Siyuan returned to the Rongguo Mansion and sought permission from Jia Zheng to lend him two retainers, Zhan Guang and Shan Pinren. He promised each of them fifty taels of silver and assured them that his expenses would be covered. The two men were overjoyed and went to the Jiangsu Guild Hall to fawn over Li Chongming.

The Jiangsu Guild Hall wasn't far from Henian Hall, and I happened to pass by it on my way back. But a quick glance revealed that everyone inside looked utterly miserable. Chen Siyuan asked a question, and learned that Ding Daojian had also suffered a hysterical attack!
After thinking about it carefully for a while, he remembered that Ding Daojian had tasted that unknown powder that day.

Ding Daojian never told anyone about this matter, because Henian Hall was in chaos for a time, with no leader in sight, and some of Ding family members even came to fight for the property under the guise of taking care of the family.

Remembering the source of one's blessings, Chen Siyuan was deeply grateful to Ding Daojian. How could Chen Siyuan stand by and watch him suffer an undeserved calamity? He had no choice but to go inside to uphold justice, send away the relatives, and then find Ding Daojian's wife and son to explain the situation.

They poured two full basins of licorice and mung bean soup into him, which finally saved Ding Daojian's life. The two looked at each other in silence for a moment, only cursing the inhuman Ma Daopo who had poisoned him.

To be honest, Chen Siyuan originally needed Ding Daojian's help, but then he ended up saving Ding Daojian... tsk, it's hard to delve into the details. So the two looked at each other in silence, and seeing that it was getting late, they finally said goodbye.

Naturally, Chen Siyuan wouldn't tell the whole story. Because Aunt Xue and Madam Wang were playing tricks, he had to cover things up in his words.

Xiangling, Hongyu, and Wu'er found it strange and couldn't help but sigh in admiration before urging Chen Siyuan to wash up and go to bed. Because his neck injury hadn't healed yet, Chen Siyuan endured the pain for another night.

............................................................

The next day, Chen Siyuan couldn't hold back his frustration any longer. He was about to go to the new house to find Sister You San and Sister You Er to relieve his pent-up desire when Tong Xi came to invite him at dawn.

He said, "Master Yuan, our lady invites you over to discuss matters concerning the departure of the old manager and others."

Yes, this is important business and can't be delayed.

Aunt Xue had already persuaded the old shopkeeper, Zhang Dehui, a few days ago, and they were just waiting to hold a farewell banquet before setting off. So Chen Siyuan agreed on the spot, tidied himself up a bit, and then moved to the small courtyard in the northeast.

As soon as they arrived near the Qinfang Bridge, they saw Duo Guniang swaying her hips as she approached. As the saying goes, "After three years in the army, even a sow can rival Diao Chan," Chen Siyuan regularly took Xilaizhi and practiced standing meditation diligently, so his inner fire was naturally stronger than others.

Perhaps feeling stifled, even the girl he usually ignored suddenly seemed quite charming. Startled, Chen Siyuan shuddered and quickly hurried away.

A short while later, Chen Siyuan arrived at the small courtyard in the northeast, where Tong Gui was already waiting at the door. Upon seeing Chen Siyuan, they quickly led him into the back room.

That day, Bao-jie was not home, and Aunt Xue sat alone on the couch. Upon seeing Chen Siyuan, Aunt Xue suppressed her emotions and invited him to sit down. After serving tea, she said, "Brother Yuan, I've been delayed these past two days because of matters at home. Now that things have calmed down, why don't we hold this farewell feast in the next couple of days?"

Chen Siyuan said, "What your aunt says is right. I think we should set it for tomorrow?"

Aunt Xue nodded and said, "That's fine. I think it would be better to hold it at my old family home. It's always more respectable to hold a banquet at home. But Pan'er is married now, so it's not appropriate for him to come to the house anymore."

Chen Siyuan readily agreed. After discussing business, the two exchanged glances, and Chen Siyuan, unable to resist the urge to do so, said, "There is another important matter. Please dismiss everyone else, Madam."

Aunt Xue assumed it was just the previous act of pretending to be a ghost, and sent Tongxi and Tonggui away.

The moment the two stepped down, before Aunt Xue could even react, Chen Siyuan had already pounced on her. The familiar scent filled the air, and Aunt Xue's body went limp. She grabbed the large hand that was groping her and couldn't help but scold, "You're like a wolf! Haven't you ever seen meat before?"

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "Because of this neck injury, the women in the room won't let me touch it, which is making me very bored. Please, Goddess, have mercy."

He started behaving inappropriately again while speaking.

Aunt Xue was both afraid of disturbing those outside and felt extremely comforted. It was truly rare for someone her age to have such affection from a young man.

Today, she wore a light pink silk cloak with gold floral trim and a dark white brocade pattern, over which she wore a white cross-collar jacket and a vermilion skirt with gold floral embroidery. Perhaps due to the careful care of her young mistress, her face was lightly made up, with only a few fine lines at the corners of her eyes. Her skin was fair and radiant, and her lips were moist. She looked even younger than she had two years ago.

Despite Chen Siyuan's efforts, Aunt Xue finally couldn't resist and pleaded, "There are still people outside... How about we go to Da Gezi Alley the day after tomorrow?"

Chen Siyuan said with a bitter face, "My sister-in-law's brother has arrived, and I have agreed to host a banquet to welcome him the day after tomorrow."

Aunt Xue bit her lower lip and looked up, saying, "Then we can only do it the day after tomorrow..."

Chen Siyuan was unwilling. After a moment's thought, an idea suddenly struck him. He rummaged through his sleeve and found a set of keys, which he handed to Aunt Xue.

"This is?"

Chen Siyuan made up a story: "The keys to all the places in the Jade Emperor Temple... My aunt comes here to look through the Taoist scriptures whenever she has time, and she's afraid the servants won't clean properly, so she simply gave me the keys and told me to go and check them when I have time." He paused, met Aunt Xue's puzzled gaze, and whispered in her ear, "Go to the Jade Emperor Temple later, and I'll find a way to meet you."

"This...this..." Aunt Xue was terrified, yet Chen Siyuan's caresses made her feel itchy, and she hesitated for a moment.

Just then, a joyful voice came from outside: "Madam, the young lady is back."

Chen Siyuan hurriedly returned to his seat. Aunt Xue quickly tidied her clothes, first giving Chen Siyuan a look, and seeing him nod, she said to the person outside, "Let Baochai in."

Tongxi agreed and soon pushed open the door, and Baochai walked in gracefully. Knowing that Chen Siyuan was also there, she first curtsied to him before approaching Aunt Xue and saying, "Brother Bao and Feng'er are both well. Jin Chuan said that they both ate breakfast this morning, but now they're complaining of being hungry again, as if they were starving during those two days when they were confused and unconscious."

Aunt Xue nodded and said, "That's good—" The blush on her face gradually faded, and she smiled casually and said, "I just discussed it with Yuan-ge'er, and we will hold a farewell banquet at the old house tomorrow. My son, you don't need to go with us tomorrow."

The farewell banquet was for Zhang Dehui and the manager of Baicaotang, so Baochai naturally couldn't meet them. Therefore, Baochai didn't suspect anything and immediately nodded in agreement.

Baochai turned to look at Chen Siyuan and suddenly smiled, "I only learned today that Brother Yuan has written a masterpiece. After reading it, I suddenly realized that the Westerners are not the same as us."

Chen Siyuan was slightly taken aback, then realized that it must be that Baochai had seen the manuscript that Xing Xiuyan had copied. So he smiled and nodded, saying, "This is a clumsy work, and I'm afraid it is not worthy of being presented in a refined setting."

Aunt Xue, who was standing to the side, was puzzled and hurriedly asked, "My son, what book has Yuan-ge written?"

Baochai then tugged at Aunt Xue's hand and said, "I only found out today that it was Yuan-ge's handwriting when I saw Xing-jie copying a manuscript in her room. Mother doesn't know that Yuan-ge has written a part of a manuscript about the situation in various Western countries. It is very detailed, and it has a description of countries such as the Portuguese, England, France, and the Netherlands."

It says that we revere Heaven and our ancestors, while the Western barbarians only worship gods. And so on and so forth. I anticipate that once this book is published, it will certainly catch the eye of the officials in the court.

As he spoke, he glanced at Chen Siyuan with a smile: "Even if Brother Yuan never enters officialdom, his reputation as a capable official and his knowledge of the Western barbarians will surely be known throughout the world."

Aunt Xue was deeply moved and exclaimed with delight, "Is that really so?"

Chen Siyuan humbly replied, "Sister Bao, you flatter me. It's too early to say that now."

"That's not all," Sister Bao said with a smile, "I think there are also Western barbarian military strategies and tactics included within."

Chen Siyuan quickly replied, "I was just repeating what others had said."

Sister Bao laughed and said, "Brother Yuan is too modest. I think he will gain a reputation for being knowledgeable in military affairs in the future."

When Baochai praised Chen Siyuan so highly, Aunt Xue was too happy to notice, but Chen Siyuan was puzzled. He looked at Baochai and, taking advantage of Aunt Xue's inattention, Baochai playfully winked at him.

Chen Siyuan suddenly realized... Baochai couldn't hold it in any longer and was planning to confront Aunt Xue? What a great thing!
The last time Aunt Xue wavered slightly and then nothing came of it. Now that the situation has been stirred up, who knows, she might change her mind?
Chen Siyuan then launched into a long explanation of the situation with the Western barbarians. He concluded by saying, "These barbarians fear power but do not cherish virtue. Our dynasty has always prioritized agriculture, while the Western barbarians have scarce arable land and have traditionally relied on commerce. As you, my aunt and sister Bao, know, our Chinese civilization has always suppressed commerce and valued agriculture; the reasons are self-evident. These Western barbarians tout contracts, but in reality, only those with might can uphold them. If they lose power, they will be surrounded by wolves..."

"...That great Frankish king borrowed money for war, and whenever he couldn't repay it, he would default on his debts. He is utterly devoid of integrity!"

Aunt Xue, a woman confined to the inner quarters, had never heard such a long discourse before. Baochai, on the other hand, had tears welling up in her almond-shaped eyes and longed to throw herself into Chen Siyuan's arms.

After Chen Siyuan finished speaking, he naturally earned high praise from Aunt Xue and Sister Bao. Chen Siyuan chatted for a while longer before getting up and gracefully taking his leave.

Because she was preoccupied with other matters, Baochai only escorted Chen Siyuan to the side gate. The two exchanged a glance and immediately understood each other.

Leaving aside Chen Siyuan, let's talk about Baochai returning to her room. When she looked up, she saw that the person's expression suddenly became strange.

Aunt Xue only then realized what was going on and found Baochai's earlier words to be very strange.

Baochai asked calmly, "Why is Mother looking at me like that?"

“Oh, oh… my child,” Aunt Xue frowned and said, “Just now… did you perhaps have feelings for Yuan’er?”

Baochai feigned surprise and said, "Why do you say that, Mother? Brother Yuan is capable of what others cannot, so it is only natural for me to praise him. If Brother Bao does something that makes people look up to him, why would I be stingy with my praise?"

Aunt Xue breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good, that's good. I've helped your aunt again this time. With the Bodhisattva's blessing, it's all done. I expect that once Baoyu recovers, the marriage between the golden and jade will definitely be settled."

Baochai suddenly chuckled.

Aunt Xue asked, puzzled, "What are you laughing at?"

Baochai said, “I laugh at the Bodhisattva, who is busier than people: she has to preach the Dharma, save all sentient beings, and heal Brother Bao and Sister Feng. They are only getting better now, but who knew she would have to interfere in their marriages. In my opinion, instead of thanking the Bodhisattva, we should thank the monk and Taoist priest who were invited to dress up so well.”

Aunt Xue was taken aback. She quickly gave a wink to the maids at the door, and Tongxi and Tonggui hurriedly left the room and closed the door behind them.

Aunt Xue then scolded, "How could you say such a thing out loud? Besides... this is a secret, who told you?"

Baochai scoffed, "Why would I need someone to tell me? I don't believe that someone with a discerning eye can't see the trick."

"you……"

Before Aunt Xue could say anything, Sister Bao sighed solemnly and blurted out, "Mother, am I really going to go and scheme for that damned 'golden and jade marriage'?"

"What are you saying?" Aunt Xue said.

Baochai looked at Aunt Xue and said, "Let's not even talk about how high Aunt's standards are now and how she doesn't look down on our family; just look at Brother Bao, he already has Lin Daiyu, and now there's Yun'er, and Miaoyu lives in the Green Bamboo Nunnery... Even so, Aunt doesn't forget to look around for girls she likes. I just want to ask you one question, Mother: you raised me to adulthood, do you think I'm any less than anyone else? Why should I compete with others to become the wife of a naughty boy?"

"you you you--"

Baochai, perhaps having been feeling incredibly stifled, suddenly felt an immense sense of relief. Without waiting for Aunt Xue to explain, she continued, "For the Xue family? But Brother Yuan already pointed out the Xue family's way of protecting themselves, why must Mother make me suffer?"

Aunt Xue was speechless. In the end, this matter also wronged Baochai. At first, she could use the name of the Xue family, but Chen Siyuan did give her another solution. If Aunt Xue were Baochai, she would probably feel wronged as well.

Seeing that he was speechless, Baochai said, "No one knows a daughter better than her mother. Mother also knows what kind of man I am proud of, whether he is a hero on the battlefield or a powerful figure in the court. Mother, do you think Brother Bao can do any of these things?"

Aunt Xue sighed silently, about to comfort Baochai, when she suddenly looked up in alarm and said, "My child, you must not be—"

Baochai was deeply moved. Though she smiled calmly, tears welled in her eyes. She nodded to Aunt Xue and said, "I have been obedient for fifteen years, listening to everything you say, Mother. But now I have done something unfilial, and I beg your forgiveness!"

"I...you..."

Aunt Xue instinctively wanted to reject the idea outright, but she knew that such private matters were best left unsaid. Besides, Chen Siyuan was currently very popular, and even her niece Wang Yunping was eager to meet him. Who knew that one day a powerful figure might take a liking to him and choose him as a son-in-law?

Chen Siyuan's words that day were incredibly persuasive, and they kept echoing in Aunt Xue's ears. Aunt Xue couldn't help but sigh inwardly: Yes, she and her young master could never live in the open. Even considering only Daiyu's situation, this was a violation of moral principles…

Her heart pounded with growing unease, so Aunt Xue bit her lip and remained silent.

At this moment, Baochai suddenly knelt down and crawled to Aunt Xue, looking up at her and saying, "Mother, you may hit me if you want, but my heart already belongs to someone else, and I cannot tolerate anyone else."

Seeing Baochai weeping uncontrollably, Aunt Xue recalled the grievances Baochai had suffered over the years, but she couldn't bring herself to say a word of reproach. In the end, she could only frown and sigh, "What a tragedy!"

(End of this chapter)