Dream of the Red Chamber: I can see the hidden labels of the beauties.

afternoon.

As the sun began to set, the group finished their lunch and sat idly in the pavilion for a while, chatting away.

Grandmother Jia was getting on in years and her energy was waning, so she said she wanted to go back and rest.

Lady You hurriedly got up and started making arrangements, instructing that a sedan chair be prepared. With the help of Yuanyang and Amber, Grandmother Jia got into the sedan chair and returned to the Rongguo Mansion.

Madam Wang, Madam Xing, Aunt Xue, and others also went back together. The group left the Ningguo Mansion in a grand procession.

Wang Xifeng, Li Wan, Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, the three sisters, and the younger generation stayed behind to continue strolling in the garden and appreciating the flowers.

As the hosts, Lady You and Qin Keqing naturally accompanied them.

The group strolled slowly along the path in the garden, and Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and the three sisters, all well-educated young ladies, began to chat.

Wang Xifeng, having received little formal education, couldn't join in Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai's discussion of poetry and literature. After a few sentences, she grew bored and went to You Shi, tugging at her sleeve and asking:

"Sister-in-law Zhen, what's the fun in just strolling around the garden? Do you have anything else interesting to do here?"

Knowing her temperament, Madam You smiled and suggested:

"Since we have nothing else to do, how about we play a few rounds of dominoes?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Xifeng's face lit up with a smile, and she clapped her hands repeatedly.

"This is good...this is good, Sister-in-law Zhen really understands me."

After saying that, he pulled You Shi and Qin Keqing, and the three of them went to the side room, chatting and laughing, and closed the door to play cards.

Meanwhile, Li Wan, along with Lin Daiyu, Xue Baochai, and the three sisters, continued to stroll around Huifang Garden.

Li Wan was gentle and didn't like crowds. She led the young girls on a leisurely stroll through the garden, admiring the flowers and scenery, composing poems, and seemed quite carefree and relaxed.

The group arrived at a rockery, where a stream flowed gently, creating a serene atmosphere. Lin Daiyu stopped, looked around, and couldn't help but say:

"This place is quite nice. Although the West Mansion also has gardens, they are not as large as this, nor do they have as many scenic views."

As he spoke, his eyes lit up, revealing an expression of appreciation.

No sooner had she finished speaking than Jia Xichun, with her straightforward and outspoken nature, winked and teased:

"If Sister Lin likes it here, she can tell the matriarch that she can move to the East Mansion. That way, she can stroll around this garden every day. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Daiyu's pretty face flushed slightly. She glared at Jia Xichun and replied coquettishly:

"Fourth Sister, you're asking for it! I just think that with such a big garden, the sisters can often come here to play, whether it's admiring flowers, playing chess, or composing poems. That would be so comfortable and relaxing."

"Who said they were moving here?"

Jia Xichun stuck out her tongue at her and replied with a grin:

"Oh, I see. I thought you, Sister Lin... Oh dear..."

Lin Daiyu knew she wouldn't say anything nice, so before she could finish, she reached out and scratched her. Jia Xichun was terrified of this, and quickly dodged, begging for mercy repeatedly.

"Good sister...please forgive me, I'll never do it again..."

When Xue Baochai, Jia Yingchun, and Jia Tanchun saw this, they all smiled, and even the usually quiet Li Wan had a smile on her lips and shook her head slightly.

For a moment, the garden was filled with silvery laughter, the atmosphere was cheerful and warm, and even the birds on the branches were startled and took flight.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps could be heard from afar.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Jia Baoyu hurriedly walking over with a young man with rosy lips and white teeth, as if he was afraid that he would miss the man if he walked too slowly.

Jia Baoyu saw Lin Daiyu and the others laughing and joking from afar, their faces full of excitement. He raised his hand and waved to them from a distance.

"Lin Daiyu, Baochai..."

When everyone saw him arrive, they all fell silent, knowing that his arrival meant there would be no peace.

Then they saw that he had brought in a young man who was a complete stranger. Everyone felt something was amiss, and their smiles gradually faded.

Li Wan, being a few years older, was most cautious in this regard. She quickly stepped forward, blocking the crowd, her expression turning serious, and asked in a deep voice:

"Baoyu, who is this person? Why did you bring him here?"

After saying that, he was quite displeased and looked the boy up and down.

Jia Baoyu, beaming with excitement, was completely oblivious to Li Wan's displeasure, and enthusiastically introduced her to the situation:

"Sister-in-law, this is Rong's daughter-in-law's brother, named Qin Zhong. He is very handsome and well-educated, and he is also my best friend. We have been playing together all morning."

Upon hearing this, Li Wan's expression immediately changed:

"Nonsense! How can you bring a man from your wife's family to your sisters' house? Where is your wife? Why didn't she stop him?"

These words are well-reasoned and irrefutable. It is improper for an outsider to enter the inner quarters, let alone bring him in front of the young ladies. If word gets out, it will damage his reputation.

Jia Baoyu's smile froze instantly. He hadn't thought much of it, only that Qin Zhong was his best friend and it was only right to bring him to meet his sisters. He never imagined this. He opened his mouth, but didn't know how to explain.

Qin Zhong, being quick-witted, sensed the awkward atmosphere and quickly pulled away from Jia Baoyu's hand, lowering his head as he said:

"Baoyu, I'll take my leave now. See you tomorrow."

Having said that, he turned to leave.

Seeing that he was about to leave, Jia Baoyu couldn't bear to part with him. He quickly reached out and grabbed him, holding his hand tightly and refusing to let go. Then he turned to Li Wan and said:

"Sister-in-law, it's alright. He's Rong's daughter-in-law's brother, and he's also my best friend. It's fine for him to meet with the sisters."

He spoke with such confidence that he seemed to think Li Wan was making a big fuss.

Upon hearing this, Li Wan's expression grew even sterner, and she rebuked him without leaving any room for negotiation:

"Baoyu, you're being ridiculous! This is no joke! Take him away right now, or we're leaving."

After saying that, he turned around and gestured for Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai to step aside.

If this gets out, it will damage the reputation of these unmarried young women; they can't afford to be careless.

Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai were aware of the implications, but after glancing at Jia Baoyu, they turned and left.

Although the women appeared calm and showed no emotion, their eyes betrayed their displeasure, all feeling that Jia Baoyu's actions were somewhat reckless and foolish.

Lin Daiyu, in particular, felt quite disgusted and even a little disgusted when she saw Jia Baoyu and Qin Zhong, a man, holding hands and refusing to let go.

Although she often bickered and sulked with Jia Baoyu, it was just a childish squabble between young lovers, and she never really took it to heart.

Today's events made her feel that Jia Baoyu's behavior was absurd, completely disregarding etiquette and showing no sense of propriety.

She had no interest in talking to Jia Baoyu, and didn't even bother to look at him again, so she followed Li Wan deeper into the garden.

Jia Baoyu was stunned. He had been eagerly planning to introduce Qin Zhong to Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai, expecting the sisters to gather around curiously and ask him all sorts of questions, so he could take the opportunity to show off Qin Zhong's looks, talent, and character.

Unexpectedly, this is the result. I stood there blankly, watching my sisters' departing figures, not knowing what to do.