Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 676: Rongguo Mansion Prepares a Banquet
In Rongqing Hall,

Grandmother Jia had woken up long ago, washed, had her meals, and spread a soft couch on the kang in the inner hall.

After eating, I felt a little tired, so I lay down again, covered myself with a thin blanket, and rested for a while. As for the outer room,

The maids, the old women, and the servants who served were coming in and out, as if they were busy with something.

When the sun is high in the sky,

Miss Shi Xiangyun of the Shi family got up early, washed and dressed herself, feeling excited, but also reluctant to leave the small courtyard she had carefully decorated.

"Cuilu, I have to leave suddenly, but I feel reluctant. Everything here was created by us. There are still some vegetables in the yard that have not been picked yet."

"Oh, Miss, we are not not coming back. I'll go find the kitchen and ask them to pick the vegetables in the yard. I'll also find something to cover the things in the house. As for the silver and other things, Miss, I've taken them all. Even if someone comes to look for them, there's nothing to take."

The little maid Cuilu was only thinking about her own and the young lady's money. She couldn't hide it, so she might as well take it all with her and tie it up on her body to feel at ease.

Outside the house,
Several maids from the kitchen came to the yard to pick vegetables and brought breakfast to Miss Xiangyun. There were two dishes of side dishes, a few steamed buns, and two bowls of porridge. It was much better than usual. Cuilu pulled the lady to sit down.
"Miss, stop busying yourself and eat first. Look, I've given you an extra side dish and two extra steamed buns today. After you finish eating, I'll wrap up the extra buns and hide them for you to eat when you're hungry."

Shi Xiangyun sat at the table, looking at the silly little girl beside her, feeling a little lost. Now, they have money to eat, unlike before, when they had to hide steamed buns to eat at night.
I think after I go to Rongguo Mansion, I won’t eat these anymore.

The master and servant looked at each other in silence. After eating, they packed their bags in the house, packing up the clothes that needed to be changed and some commonly used items.

"Miss, there are so many things, shall we take them all?"

The little maid Cuilu looked at several large boxes containing clothes and bedding, and didn't know what to do. Shi Xiangyun was still counting the silver. It turned out to be fifty taels of silver. With the huge sum of money she had saved in the past, there was still a lot left.

He looked at the maid beside him and asked, then looked at the several large boxes on the kang and shook his head;
"How can we possibly take everything with us? Just take a few extra sets of clothes, and don't take anything else. Also, keep the bedding in a roll to prevent it from gathering dust. We will need it after we come back. We will have all of these at Rongguo Mansion."

Shi Xiangyun put away all the silver and put it in the bag. She looked at the bedding on the kang and stood up to help the maid put it away. After a long time, she finally tidied up the room. When she was about to leave, she looked at the shabby but warm room and suddenly felt reluctant to leave.
Perhaps, Rongguo Mansion is still not as good as these.

"Miss, can we come back?"

"You silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about? Of course you can come back, let's go."

As she spoke, Shi Xiangyun patted the little girl's hair, putting her unhappy intentions behind her.
The two of them, each carrying a package, supported each other as they walked out of the gate of the mansion. They saw a carriage waiting outside the gate.

It seems that the madam had arranged it long ago.

The two of them got on the carriage and just as they were seated,
The driver shouted:
"Ms. Xiangyun, sit down. Let's go to Rongguo Mansion. Go!"

There was the sound of a whip being swung, and the carriage started moving slowly.

People just left,
The gatekeeper turned around and ran into the inner courtyard.
Rongguo Mansion,
Although the old lady of Rongqingtang got up very early, she took a nap after her meal, which lasted for more than half an hour.

Thinking of what happened last night, she felt a little urgent and did not talk to anyone else about it. When she got up today, she suddenly sent someone to find Wang Xifeng, saying that she had something to do in the evening and would hold a family dinner at noon, and asked Mrs. Liu in the kitchen to prepare the dishes herself.

So there were those busy figures, some cleaning the yard, and the kitchen was also busy. Sister Liu brought many servants to help in the kitchen, killing chickens and sheep, and preparing the best dishes.

As if it were normal,
The wives and young ladies from each room came here one after another, and Yuanyang asked people to serve them tea and water.

Grandmother Jia was sitting on the kang, her lazy look could not be hidden from others. She was talking to Madam You, while Sister Feng and Li Wan were accompanying her with smiles not far away. Sisters Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun and others also came here to chat and laugh after bathing and resting.

The room was filled with laughter and joy, just like usual, and no one noticed what was in the eyes of Li Wan and the other two girls.

"Oh, why did the old lady get up so early today? Is there some happy event to prepare? It looks like the banquet has been prepared."

Li Wan sat close by and said something with a smile, and Madam You also found some fun and followed suit;

"Yes, old lady, could it be that a distinguished guest is coming?"

As the two asked a few questions, everyone in the room looked over.

Tanchun and Xichun stood up, walked to Lady Jia's side with a smile, sat down on her left and right, and said with a smile:
"Ancestor, what good news has happened?"

At this time, Jia's mother was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. Her face was rosy and she was in a very good spirit. Looking at her granddaughters and daughters-in-law around her, she was very pleased. The only one missing was Baoyu.

"Of course there is a happy event, but I can't tell you now. Please allow me, an old woman, to keep it a secret. The matter has a beginning and an end. It would be bad if I told you now."

Seeing that Lady Jia was still keeping things a secret, everyone in the room was surprised. Xichun was even more curious about what it meant to have a beginning and an end, so she continued to ask:
"Grandfather, why are you still keeping it a secret? It can't be Brother Baoyu's business, right?"

Xichun smiled and made some random guesses, but Jia's mother was startled, reached out and touched Xichun's hair, and said with a smile:

"She's still my own girl, you're the only one who understands."

Earlier,
Yingchun and Xichun also followed Lady Jia's instructions and went back to their rooms to tidy up and wait to be called later.

As for the other ladies, they had already received the news.

The second wife, Mrs. Wang, sat quietly on a chair below with a smile on her face, while Jinchuan, Yuchuan, Caixia and Caiyun served her with their hands hanging down. For some reason, the second wife had been staying at home and rarely went out these days, and had hardly appeared in the Rongguo Mansion.

As for Madam Xing, she was still the same as usual, sitting there with Mrs. Fei in silence, eating melon seeds and drinking tea, as if no one had come. But her eyes that were looking around showed that her host was restless. From time to time, her eyes glanced at the Second Madam, but she didn't know what attracted her so much about her clothes.

Outside the house,

Shi Xiangyun was a little nervous sitting in the carriage, not knowing what would happen if she went to Rongguo Mansion, not to mention that she had not been allowed to leave the mansion since her parents passed away. As she thought about it, she sighed and actually missed her parents.
"Miss, are you okay?"

Cuilu, the maid beside her, asked worriedly, "What's wrong with the young lady?"

Shi Xiangyun shook her head and replied;

"I'm fine, I'm just a little worried. When you get there, don't behave like you do at home. Know some rules."

"Miss, we have arrived at Rongguo Mansion."

Before Shi Xiangyun could say anything else, the driver stopped the carriage outside and told her,
inside the car,

The master and servant did not wait any longer. They took the package, looked at each other, and got off the carriage. They stood outside the gate of the Rongguo Mansion, looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar gate of the Duke's Mansion. They were stunned for a moment, hesitating to move forward.

coincidentally,

Ping'er, who had just returned from buying pastries, saw her at the door but was afraid to confirm. When she got close, she saw that it was Miss Shi Xiangyun and was overjoyed.
"Oh, it's Miss Xiangyun, what are you doing?"

Looking at the young lady in front of him, carrying a package, as if seeking refuge, could it be that something happened in the Shi Family Marquis Mansion? He hurriedly asked, then turned back and gave instructions;

"You guys go in quickly, tell grandma, and send the cakes over."

"Yes, Miss Ping'er."

The maid behind her nodded in response, took the cake, and quickly walked into the door.

When Shi Xiangyun saw Miss Ping'er, she knew that she was the second sister-in-law's personal maid. Her eyes turned red and she was speechless. Ping'er was even more convinced that something had happened and she couldn't stay outside the door.

Hurry up and take Miss Xiangyun's hand,

After entering the mansion, "Miss, everything is settled once you enter the mansion. The old lady is in Rongqing Hall. She will be very happy to know that you are here. Let's go."

"Um,"

Shi Xiangyun wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and followed Ping'er to Rongqing Hall.

the other side,
At the residence of Right Censor Meng Li, Meng Li and his wife got up early in the morning to arrange everything and told Granny Meng to take good care of Yueyun.
"Mrs. Meng, please take good care of Yueyun in Rongguo Mansion."

Lord Meng's previously unseen respect was unexpectedly revealed at this moment. Madam Meng's face was also filled with worry.

But Granny Meng in front of him, dressed in red clothes and with a yellow brocade wrapped around her head, although she was old, her eyes were shining and her expression was calm. It was obvious at first glance that she was not a simple person.
"Master, Madam, don't worry. Yueyun was raised by me, and I will not let her suffer any grievances. Since we are here as a guest, we must follow the rules of being a guest. The blind date is another matter. If you like her, we can take the next step. If not, we can part ways amicably. If you want to take advantage of her before that, it is impossible. I will not leave your side for a single moment."

"Thank you, Granny Meng,"

Mrs. Meng felt comforted in her heart. This was what she meant. She was afraid that her daughter would be bullied and her reputation would be ruined. She didn't know why the master was like this. Isn't the daughter of the Feng family an example?

Meng Li was also worried, but since Lord Lu had guaranteed him and Lady Shi had agreed, how could he go back on his word? He said he could ask Granny Meng to take care of him. It seemed like he had found the right person.
"Thank you, Granny Meng. You should be more careful yourself,"

"We are family, what are you thanking me for? When we got there, the person I was going to meet was Jia Baoyu, the second wife of Rongguo Mansion, right?"

How would Mrs. Meng know which is the real jade or the fake one? She should ask the right person first.

"It's Jia Baoyu from the second house. They say he is born rich and noble, but I've never seen him, so I don't know if it's true or not. Please pay more attention to him, observe his words and expressions, and see what he looks like."

Meng Li nodded and talked about Jia Baoyu from Rongguo Mansion. He had been talking about him in the early years, but no one knew how he became rich and powerful.

Granny Meng obviously didn't care about these things. How could anyone say anything bad about the person she was dating? How could she trust the matchmaker's words?

"Master and Madam, rest assured. Whether they are rich or not is not something that can be said. As long as people see it, they will know it. His family is rich, but our young lady is not. It's just that their status has been raised."

"Mammy is right."

Mrs. Meng obviously agreed with this. Why should she let her daughter go on a blind date? Isn't that a loss of face? Meng Li obviously didn't want to hear this. He felt annoyed.

"Okay, let's not talk about this anymore. My daughter has important things to do. Mother-in-law, the carriage is ready. Someone, go get Miss. It's almost time."

"Yes, sir."

Granny Meng also knew what the master was saying. Seeing that the master looked upset, she said no more and led the two little maids to the young lady's room.

Call the young lady and leave the house immediately.

In the attic in the backyard.

After Meng Yueyun washed and dressed, she sat in front of the dressing table, looking at the woman in the bronze mirror, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised.
"Xiao Tao, have you packed your things?"

"Miss, everything is packed up, and the rouge from Jiangnan has also been packed up,"

The little girl's rosy face was filled with reluctance. It was all made of the finest rouge, which was not cheap.

"Well, in that case, you should also change into new clothes and come with me to take a look."

"Yes, ma'am."

Hearing that the young lady would also take her there, Xiao Tao jumped up happily and hurried back to change into new clothes.

Shi Xiangyun put the hairpin on her head and wanted to add another tidbit.
But he heard a knock on the door, so he called Xiaotao to open the door.
After the door opened,
Seeing Granny Meng standing in front of the door with a smile on her face,
"It's Granny Meng, Miss, Miss!"

The maid Xiaotao shouted happily at the door,

Granny Meng walked into the house with a big smile on her face.
"Miss, you are ready."

"Well, I'm ready, mother-in-law, but I'm still a little timid!"

Although Meng Yueyun has her own ideas, unfortunately, she still feels a little unsure because it concerns her lifelong matter.

Granny Meng looked at the maid and understood everything. She stretched out her dry hand, tightly grasped the young lady's hand, and said,
"Miss, don't worry. I will go with you. This trip is just for both parties to meet and take a look. If both parties are interested, then we can move on. If not, then we will just drop the matter."

"That's the only way, mother-in-law. If we go to Rongguo Mansion, and Jia Baoyu is not as naughty as the rumors say, how can we refuse him?"

Meng Yueyun felt a little cold in her palms. Although she felt relieved when she saw Granny Meng accompanying her, she was still a little afraid. Jia Baoyu, the legitimate son of the second master of Rongguo Mansion, was known to almost all the nobles in the capital. They said that this person was rich and powerful, and they praised him endlessly.

There are also many rumors that this person is extremely intelligent and proficient in poetry and prose. He will take the imperial examination this year and will most likely pass. On the surface, everything seems good, but I'm afraid that his inner self is not as it is said. If he is too dissolute, that won't be acceptable either.

Thinking of this,
The worry on her face was evident, and Granny Meng tried to comfort her again;
"My lady, don't you understand what the master means? Although the two families are well matched, the marriage still needs to be personally reviewed by the lady. If you like him, then the matter is 50% settled. The rest is just a matter of negotiation. As for if he doesn't like you, there is no need to force a relationship. His Duke's Mansion is majestic, but so is the master."

Granny Meng is old and wise. Although she rarely goes out, she has been in the mansion for so many years that she knows everything about the house.

"Miss, let's get back to the point. A blind date is a two-way process. With your looks, the so-called Jia Baoyu, or the real Baoyu, will definitely be attracted to you. So whether it succeeds or not is up to you. Just be careful and don't get into trouble, like the girl from the Feng family, who had her reputation ruined by the Ningguo family."

This was a serious statement, and Granny Meng understood what the master and the mistress meant. So, she decided to explain everything clearly before leaving, so as to avoid getting into trouble. After all, although the affairs of the Ningguo Mansion and the Feng family had not been spread outside, everyone who knew about it knew about it.

"Yes, mother-in-law, I know, but it's a pity for Taiying."

Meng Yueyun looked a little sad. Feng Taiying was her best friend. Ningguo Mansion had ruined Taiying's reputation. She didn't know how sad Taiying would be and what path she would take in the future. In addition, because of Ningguo Mansion, according to her father, the title would most likely go to Jia Baoyu of Rongguo Mansion. So, if it was really as her father said in the future, how should she face Taiying?

"Oh, young lady, everyone has their own destiny. What's supposed to happen, is supposed to come. You can't avoid it no matter how much you think. I also know that the Ningguo Mansion is talking about the two relatives. That's because the Ningguo Mansion has bad intentions. If the master hadn't delayed for a day, the matter of the Feng family's maid would have fallen on young lady. Fortunately, God blesses young lady, and she has turned the danger into safety. Now she has a new life. So, young lady, you don't need to blame yourself."

Granny Meng is well-informed. She knows that love between men and women is just like that. After a long time, every man will cheat. But once the wife's position is secure, no matter how many men come, it will be useless.

Seeing her mother-in-law speak with full of energy, Meng Yueyun felt relieved. She had to go this time, so how could she be timid? She turned around and shouted to the inner room,
"Xiao Tao, are you ready?"

"All right, all right, miss."

The maid ran out in a hurry, wearing an apricot-yellow dress, which made her look very pretty.

"Now that we've changed, mother-in-law, let's go now."

"Listen, young lady. The time is right. After we talk, I will definitely keep you there for lunch at noon. You can only come back after you have finished your meal. So, go earlier so that you can talk more and understand more thoroughly."

"Okay, Xiaotao, let's go."

The group went from the backyard to the front yard and talked with their parents.

With his parents watching him, he boarded a carriage, accompanied by his family guards and a carriage full of gifts, and headed for Ningrong Street.

Mrs. Meng always felt a little worried.
"Master, you are such a fool. You let Yueyun go alone and even stopped me. How can that be justified?"

Meng Li's face was not looking good either. He hoped that this matter would be accomplished, but he was also reluctant to let it go. He listened to his wife's complaints and turned back to the house.

"What do you know as a woman? If you go with her, how can we talk? If Old Lady Shi insists on making a decision, how can you deal with it? If Yueyun goes alone, she still has room to maneuver. You, hey..."

(End of this chapter)