The Red Mansion

Chapter 291 The Gathering of the Golden Hairpins, Baoyu's Tragedy

Since Lin Ruhai took charge of instructing Prince Yuan Yi, he has been diligent and conscientious in his duties. He teaches at the Duke's mansion every day starting at the beginning of the morning. He always arrives early and is never late. He has never asked for a day off. His diligence is evident.

The same was true on this day.

Summer days are long, and by the time one quarter past dawn, the sun had already painted the eastern sky with the glow of sunrise. Ningrong Street was still quiet when Lin Ruhai arrived steadily in front of the Duke's mansion in a small sedan chair, followed by another sedan chair with a green canopy and pearl tassels, carrying Lin Daiyu and her personal maid Zijuan.

At this time, Li Wan, Tan Chun, Xi Chun, and others from the Rongguo Mansion next door had not yet arrived at the Duke's Mansion.

The young eunuch Tian Feng came forward, bowed, and said respectfully, "Good morning, Mr. Lin."

Lin Ruhai nodded slightly.

Tian Feng led Lin Ruhai, Lin Daiyu, and Zijuan to the Inner Ceremonial Gate, where well-dressed palace maids escorted them through the gate to the east wing of Deben Hall.

Inside the east wing, two people were sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed) by the window: Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun.

Lin Daiyu stepped into the room and saw Yuan Yi. Her heart skipped a beat for no reason, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. An indescribable joy, mixed with a touch of shyness, quietly welled up within her. Seeing Yuan Yi's clear gaze fixed on her, she felt her face flush slightly and quickly lowered her head, looking down at herself, adopting a reserved demeanor.

Lin Ruhai stepped forward and bowed, saying, "This humble official, Lin Ruhai, greets Fourth Master and Madam."

Yuan Yi offered a slight gesture of support and said with a smile, "Please rise, sir."

Lin Daiyu followed closely behind her father, gracefully bowing down, her voice clear and melodious like a nightingale's song: "Daiyu greets the Duke and Madam."

Yuan Chun reached out and gently helped her up, saying, "Sister Lin, there's no need for such formalities. Please get up."

Yuan Yi invited Lin Ruhai to sit on a nanmu wood chair inlaid with mother-of-pearl facing west on the ground floor, and then turned to Lin Daiyu: "Sister Lin, please sit as well."

Lin Daiyu gently shook her head and said softly, "Thank you, Your Highness, I'll stand." She moved to her father's chair and stood quietly, her posture as swaying as a willow in the breeze and as serene as a delicate flower reflected in water.

Yuan Yi smiled and said, "From now on, Lin Daiyu can just call me 'Fourth Master'."

Lin Daiyu looked up and met his gaze, then nodded slightly: "Yes, Fourth Master."

Yuan Chun smiled at Lin Ruhai and said, “It is truly Your Highness’s thoughtfulness. Seeing that I have been troubled by the Rong Mansion lately, and with my second sister Yingchun having just moved in, I inevitably feel lonely and quiet. Therefore, Your Highness specially instructed today to invite my third sister Tanchun and fourth sister Xichun from the Rong Mansion to come and reunite with us sisters for a day, so that we can relax. Also, thinking that Sister Lin rarely goes out, it would be better to invite her as well for a lively day. It is indeed a great trouble for you, sir.”

In terms of seniority, Lin Ruhai was Yuan Chun's uncle-in-law. However, Lin Ruhai was a humble man, and he had earnestly pleaded with Yuan Chun not to address him as "uncle-in-law" within the Duke's mansion, as there was a clear distinction between superiors and inferiors. Yuan Chun followed his advice and addressed him as "Sir" along with Yuan Yi, which showed both respect and intimacy.

Lin Ruhai bowed and replied, "It is Yu'er's blessing and my family's honor that Fourth Master and Madam care so much about my daughter. I am deeply grateful for Madam's kind heart and consideration for sisterly affection."

Yuan Chun nodded with a smile, her gaze returning to Lin Daiyu, scrutinizing her closely. She noticed Lin Daiyu was dressed in a light green silk robe, loosely cinched at the waist with a jade sash, the hem of her skirt flowing gracefully, shimmering with iridescent light. Her face was lightly powdered, her skin radiant, and her eyebrows were drawn like distant mountains in spring, elegant and refined.

Yuan Chun couldn't help but sincerely praise, "What a neat and tidy younger sister! This dress looks like the silk I gave you before, doesn't it?"

Hearing Yuan Chun's praise, Lin Daiyu was naturally delighted. She slightly curtsied and replied, "Madam has excellent taste. It is indeed a gift from you. I am unworthy of such precious fabric. Thank you for your generous gift."

After speaking, she couldn't help but glance at Yuan Yi out of the corner of her eye, only to see him looking at her with admiration in his eyes. Her heart felt as sweet as if she had drunk honey, but she hurriedly lowered her head, staring at the hem of her emerald green skirt.

Yuan Chun then turned to Lin Ruhai and smiled, "Fourth Master specifically instructed that since today's banquet is a small gathering for the sisters, they should be allowed to relax and stroll around the back garden to chat. It's rare for Sister Lin to go out on weekdays, so since she's here today, let her relax here for the day. After dinner, we'll send someone to take her back properly. After the teacher finishes his midday lesson, he can go home on his own, so there's no need to worry about him."

Lin Ruhai bowed again: "Since Fourth Master has made such thoughtful arrangements, what else could I possibly worry about? It is only right that we do so, given Fourth Master's concern and Madam's refined taste. Yu'er, you stay here today and keep Madam and the other ladies company, and do not be impolite."

Lin Daiyu softly replied "Yes" beside her father, her joy overflowing like the rising tide of spring. To be able to spend a day freely playing with her sisters in this beautiful Duke's mansion was truly wonderful. The pavilions, winding streams, and exotic flowers and plants in the mansion's back garden seemed to beckon to her.

As the group was talking, Li Wan, Tan Chun, Xi Chun, Jia Baoyu, Jia Lan and their entourage from the Rongguo Mansion arrived. A palace maid led them to the east side room.

Under the eaves of the door, two maids stood, one was Xiren, and the other was Qingwen.

Jia Baoyu was stunned when he saw her. Xiren was originally his chief maid; Qingwen used to play with him when she worked in Grandmother Jia's room.

In fact, one of the reasons he was in such a hurry to come to the Duke's mansion today was that he wanted to take the opportunity to see Xiren and Qianxue, the two maids who used to be in his room, as well as Qingwen, Jinchuan, and Yuchuan, the maids he used to know well.

Upon suddenly seeing Xiren, Jia Baoyu's heart pounded like a deer's, and he couldn't help but blurt out, "Xiren!"

Xiren nodded slightly, then lowered her head and stood there as before.

When she was Jia Baoyu's chief maid, she cared deeply for him. However, when she was expelled from the Rongguo Mansion, she became disappointed in him. After encountering someone like Yuan Yi, she found Jia Baoyu utterly unbearable. Seeing Jia Baoyu's recklessness now, she sighed inwardly, "He's just an ignorant and spoiled brat, not even a fraction as magnanimous as Fourth Master."

Seeing that Xiren was treating him coldly, Jia Baoyu was feeling down when Li Wan led Tanchun, Xichun, and Jia Lan into the east side room. He couldn't care less about continuing to chat with Xiren and followed her in.

The originally spacious east wing room suddenly felt cramped.

The Rongguo Mansion group was unaware that Lin Daiyu would be there today. Upon seeing her, she stood gracefully like a newly blossoming lotus. Tan Chun's eyes lit up, and Jia Baoyu was completely captivated.

Jia Baoyu had not seen Lin Daiyu for some time. Today, when he suddenly saw her wearing a light green silk dress, with her brows furrowed like spring mountains and her eyes filled with autumn water, she was even more charming than usual. So much so that when Li Wan, Tan Chun, and even Xi Chun were busy bowing to Yuan Yi, Yuan Chun, and Lin Ruhai, he forgot to bow to them for a moment.

Lin Daiyu knew that Tan Chun and Xi Chun were coming today, but she didn't expect Jia Baoyu to come as well. Seeing Jia Baoyu staring straight at her, she quickly turned her head away, pretending to adjust the sash at her waist. Although she thought of their past friendship, she didn't know why, but seeing him in this situation made her feel a little uncomfortable.

Yuan Yi took in the expressions of Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu, a slight smile playing on his lips, secretly finding it amusing. After Li Wan finished her own greetings, she hurriedly nudged her son Jia Lan, saying, "Lan'er, quickly greet the Duke, his wife, and your great-uncle."

These words startled Jia Baoyu, who was about to bow to Yuan Yi and Yuan Chun. However, when his gaze shifted from Lin Daiyu, he caught sight of Xiangling standing in the corner and stared at her again, thinking to himself, "This Xiangling sister has grown even more beautiful!" He had seen Xiangling before.

Following his mother's instructions before he arrived, Jia Lan knelt down and kowtowed respectfully, saying, "Lan'er greets the Duke and Madam." He then paid his respects to his great-uncle, Lin Ruhai, behaving with proper decorum, just like a little adult.

Yuan Chun smiled and told him to get up, praising, "Lan-ge'er is making more and more progress." Then she saw Jia Baoyu standing there blankly, and could only call out, "Baoyu?"

When Yuan Chun called him, Jia Baoyu finally came to his senses and absentmindedly bowed, saying, "Greetings to the Duke, greetings to my elder sister." His demeanor was not as composed as that of his younger nephew, Jia Lan.

Yuan Chun invited Li Wan to take a seat, but Li Wan declined, saying, "How can a commoner like me sit in front of the Duke, his wife, and his uncle?" It wasn't until Yuan Yi spoke that she finally sat down on half of the nanmu chair, leaning slightly to the side.

As soon as she sat down, Li Wan explained, "It is because the Third and Fourth Misses are still young, and I came here to take care of them. Besides, Lan'er studies hard all day long, and she should come to pay her respects to her eldest aunt and get closer to the Duke. I hope you will forgive me for coming uninvited."

Yuan Chun smiled slightly: "Sister-in-law, what are you saying? Family members should visit each other often."

The side room was now filled with the glitter of jewels and the fragrance of fine clothes. Jia Baoyu glanced at Lin Daiyu, but Lin Daiyu deliberately avoided his gaze. Tan Chun and Xi Chun both lowered their heads, while Jia Lan stood respectfully beside his mother.

Yuan Chun took out a gold watch the size of a walnut, glanced at it, and said softly to Yuan Yi, "Fourth Master, it is already early morning, the time for the teacher to start his lesson. I dare not delay. Since all the sisters are here, I will take them to my residence to talk, and then we will go to the garden together later."

Yuan Yi nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Li Wan: "It's rare to see Lan Ge'er, so let him stay by my side today to study and practice martial arts."

He intended to test Jia Lan's character and abilities.

Upon hearing this, Li Wan was overjoyed and quickly stood up: "This is truly a blessing for Lan'er! I'm so grateful for the Duke's guidance." She then urged Jia Lan: "Quickly kowtow to the Duke."

Jia Lan performed the deep bow again, her little face tense.

Yuan Yi then looked at Jia Baoyu: "Baoyu, you are also studying and practicing martial arts with me today. You are not young anymore, so don't spend all your time hanging out with girls."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Chun felt both ashamed and pleased. She felt ashamed because her beloved younger brother Jia Baoyu's unruly behavior had been pointed out to her face, but she was pleased because she couldn't wait for her husband to be close to her brother and personally discipline him.

Tan Chun lowered her head and suppressed a laugh, while Lin Daiyu glanced at Jia Baoyu and secretly felt that Yuan Yi's words made sense.

Jia Baoyu was immediately terrified, his soul nearly leaving his body and his spirit trembling. He thought to himself, "Poetry, lyrics, and prose are one thing, but those classic texts are the most demanding on one's character! Not to mention martial arts, wielding spears and clubs—that's practically going to kill me!"

He could almost see Lin Daiyu playing with her sisters in the garden, while he was confined to Yuan Yi's side, studying and practicing martial arts. He couldn't even get close to Xiren, which he found more unbearable than torture.

Seeing him stunned, Yuan Chun quickly gave him a meaningful look and said, "Bao Yu, why don't you quickly express your gratitude?"

Jia Baoyu snapped out of his daze. Although he was unwilling, he was ultimately afraid of Yuan Yi's imposing presence, so he could only reluctantly bow, his voice carrying a mixture of grievance and helplessness: "Thank you... thank you, Your Excellency."

At that moment, Yuan Yi and Lin Ruhai got up and led Jia Baoyu and Jia Lan to the inner study, Li Shen Zhai. Yuan Chun, along with her sisters Li Wan, Lin Daiyu, Tan Chun, and Xi Chun, saw them off.

Jia Baoyu kept turning back every few steps, his eyes seemingly glued to Lin Daiyu. Just then, Lin Daiyu looked up at Yuan Yi, and their eyes met. Their gazes locked, and her heart pounded. She quickly lowered her head and began wringing her handkerchief.

As soon as the group left the courtyard of Debentang, they suddenly saw the dignified and quiet Xue Baochai and the stunningly beautiful Jing Qing walking out of the alley, each followed by a maid.

Jia Baoyu was so captivated by the sight that his steps slowed as if he were bound by heavy iron shackles. Then he heard Yuan Yi call out in a deep voice, "Baoyu!"

The sound was like a thunderclap, startling him so much that he quickly composed himself, lowered his head, and reluctantly followed.

Upon entering Lishenzhai, Jia Baoyu noticed that Xiangling had also followed him inside. He was secretly delighted, thinking, "It seems that this Sister Xiangling will be serving the Duke. I'll be able to see her often."

Xiangling first poured tea for Yuan Yi and Lin Ruhai, then softly asked, "Shall we pour tea for the two gentlemen?"

Yuan Yi waved his hand: "They are young, they can do it themselves." He then ordered: "Go and call a palace maid, send her to the backyard and bring Jia Cong here immediately."

Xiangling responded and left, giving instructions to the palace maids before returning to Lishenzhai.

Before long, a palace maid led Jia Cong to Lishenzhai.

Jia Cong bowed respectfully to Yuan Yi, then to Lin Ruhai, before standing with his hands at his sides. His gaze, however, involuntarily drifted to Jia Baoyu and Jia Lan beside him. He thought to himself, "The Duke has suddenly summoned me here, and Jia Baoyu and Jia Lan are also here; he's probably going to test me."

Yuan Yi said to the palace maid, "You will serve here today."

The palace maid was overjoyed; this was a golden opportunity to serve the Duke closely.

Yuan Yi then smiled at Xiangling and said, "There's no need to stand on ceremony in front of me today. Go and join in the fun with Madam and relax a bit."

Xiangling was overjoyed to receive the blessing and, in gratitude, her skirts fluttering, she departed.

As Jia Baoyu watched Xiangling's figure disappear, he immediately deflated like a frostbitten eggplant, sighing inwardly, "Oh no! I've even missed this little bit of good fortune!"

He stole a glance at the palace maid who remained. She had a long face and slightly dark skin. Although she was well-mannered, she couldn't compare to Xiangling's charm and beauty. He couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

Oh, what a tragedy!
(End of this chapter)