Chapter 608 My Little Ancestor
Although Baoyu was now forced by Jia Zheng to study, he still didn't like Baochai's advice to study, so he just smiled awkwardly and didn't respond.
Unexpectedly, Xiangyun beside him also said, "Second brother, the second master is so strict on your studies, why are you still so temperamental? You are grown up now. Even if you don't want to study for the imperial examinations, you should often meet these officials and talk about official careers and economics. It will be good for you to handle social affairs and establish your own family in the future. In the future, you will have a friend whenever you need help."
"Don't hang out with us girls all the time..."
Baoyu was immediately annoyed when he heard this. He said with a cold face, "Young lady, please go sit in another room. Don't taint your economic knowledge here with me."
Xiren smiled bitterly, holding Xiangyun and said, "Miss, please stop talking like that. I also tried to persuade the Second Master once before. I just stood up and left."
Xiangyun snorted harshly, but was pulled aside by Daiyu. "Sister Yun, are you still coming back home with me tonight? I happen to have something to ask you."
Xiangyun knew it must be about the embroidered wedding dress, so she didn't say much in front of Baoyu, but agreed directly.
"Don't be angry, Second Brother Bao. Isn't Miss Yun doing this for your own good? Putting aside other things, if word gets to Master, he'll definitely give you another beating."
When Tanchun mentioned Jia Zheng, Baoyu shuddered. Falling into Jia Zheng's hands a few days ago was almost like going to hell for him.
Although Tanchun and Baoyu were somewhat distant compared to before, they were still his elder brother from the same house, so compared to the other girls, Tanchun was still the one closest to Baoyu. Moreover, Tanchun was truly worried about Baoyu.
Previously, because the eldest wife was convicted, although the property was not confiscated, the title of the West Mansion was lost.
Currently, they are only able to live in the West Mansion because of the status of the old lady. If the day comes when the old lady can no longer bear to speak, according to the rules, everyone will no longer be qualified to live in this Rongguo Mansion.
Although Madam Xing of the first wife had no children, she was likely not afraid. She already had a relationship with Jia Cong's mother, so even if Jia Cong was adopted into the Eastern Palace, she wouldn't ignore him. Even if things got worse, she still had Xiu Yan to speak up for her. As for the second wife, although the master was an official, he clearly didn't have much to offer. His current position as a doctor in the Ministry of Works was thanks to his third brother's connections.
Lan'er has made progress now and has already passed the prefectural examination. Even if she fails the provincial examination this year, she is still young and has a great chance of passing the imperial examination in the future. In this way, my eldest sister-in-law also has hope.
So, what should Brother Bao do?
The Second Wife was imprisoned in the ancestral temple. She went there once a month, but it was obviously not easy to get the Second Wife out. If she lost the favor of the old lady again, what would Second Brother Bao do?
The old lady obviously realized this, otherwise, why would she allow the master to control her...
With mixed emotions in her heart, Tanchun couldn't help but sigh and said, "Second Brother Bao, it's not easy for the master to support our family now. If anything happens in the future, we will always need someone to help us."
Seeing everyone trying to persuade him in this way, Baoyu couldn't help but get annoyed. "I invited you all to dinner today, but I made a mistake. I've been detained by the old lady for over a month, and before that I was under the control of the master. It would be fine if you didn't say a few nice words, but you actually said these nonsense?"
Baochai did not say anything to what the others said , but was just thinking about her own family affairs. The Xue family also had several important things to do recently.
There was one incident on my side, and another on my brother's side.
Although Xue Pan had been thrown into the camp outside the city by Wang Ziteng, he couldn't delay the ceremony with the Xia family. The date had already been set, and the date would be announced in a few days. Furthermore, the wedding would be held in May at the latest.
The cousin of the Wang family
With so many things to do, how could she care whether Baoyu was studying? It was none of her business anyway.
As for Yingchun, she also lowered her head and said nothing, even though she and Baoyu had not been close before. Now, she was extremely satisfied. She had a good brother to support her, and the servants in the mansion did not dare to bully her. She was happy and at ease.
Little Xichun was also only concerned with playing with Baoqin and didn't care what other people were saying.
"Oh, my little ancestor." Xiren stepped forward to support Baoyu. "Why are you getting angry again while we're talking? The girls have finally come here, why don't you have a good time today? I've had a banquet prepared. Second Master, please accompany the girls to eat and drink. After the meal, Second Master will accompany the girls to write poems or play cover-guessing games. Don't think about those troubles."
"Muyue, Qiu Wen, why don't you go to the kitchen and get the food?"
At Xiren's gentle persuasion, Baoyu calmed down his anger and started chatting and playing with everyone again.
Soon, Musk Moon and the other two brought back the food. Everyone stopped playing and sat down to eat. After they finished eating, Baoyu mentioned that he wanted to write a poem together, but Baochai stood up and said, "When I came here today, my mother said something happened at home. It's because we are Bao brother's host that I came here. It would be bad if I left late, so I will go back first and you can continue to have fun."
"Sister Bao, I'm with you. I happen to have something I want to discuss with you."
The two of them came to the banquet, partly out of sisterly affection. After all, everyone was already there, and it would be awkward for them not to come. Secondly, they had accepted Baoyu's invitation, and it would be impolite not to come. However, now that the banquet was over, it would be boring to continue playing around in Baoyu's room. So, Baochai and Daiyu immediately took their leave.
"Second brother, Sister Qin and I are going to look for Xiao Que'er and the others." Little Xichun stood up and said to Baoyu, then pulled Baoqin and ran out.
Baochai and Daiyu did not give Baoyu any chance to stay. They said goodbye to their sisters and left.
After walking for a while, Xiangyun caught up with them.
"Where are you going, sisters?" Xiangyun stepped forward and took them by the arm, laughing. "Are you going back to make your wedding dress, or are you going to prepare your dowry?"
Daiyu tapped Xiangyun's forehead and said, "You're talking about me and Sister Bao too? You wrote to Third Brother before, but did you get a reply?"
Upon hearing this, Xiangyun said in frustration, "Maybe Third Brother is too busy and hasn't replied to my letter yet."
"Brother Cong is far away in Shu, thousands of miles away from the capital. Even if he could reply, how could he do so quickly? Besides, I think this matter needs to be discussed with the uncle of the Shi family before it can be properly handled."
