The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 441 Chaiqin Arrives
Mrs. Zhou was filled with righteous indignation, but Mrs. Wang remained expressionless. She only said calmly, "Xiren, you did a good job, but you must reply to me in time if you have anything to ask in the future. Don't wait until I ask you before replying like you did this time. This is very inappropriate."

Xiren bowed her head and said, "I understand."

"Well, you go in and take care of Baoyu. Don't let him catch a cold again. Besides, the school will be closed in a few days. You may as well not go. Rest at home and recuperate. You can go back to school in the spring next year."

After giving her instructions, Madam Wang left Yihong Courtyard. Mrs. Zhou followed closely behind her and asked cautiously, "Madam, are we going to let this matter go? If we don't teach Third Brother Huan a lesson, I'm afraid he will bully Second Master Bao even more in the future."

Mrs. Wang said coldly, "I know my limits."

Now Jia Huan has the title of a juren, and will soon take part in the imperial examination. The old lady and the master both attach great importance to him, so if he wants to be punished, he must have the right time and reason, otherwise he will be easily criticized and will not get the support of the old lady and the master. Of course, it would be best if this little bastard fails the imperial examination next year, otherwise if he passes the imperial examination, it will be even more difficult to punish him.

Hey, Jia Huan was very weak in the past, and Mrs. Wang had plenty of ways to beat him up, but things are different now. Jia Huan is now a juren and has the blessing of the emperor's edict. He can stand up straight in front of Mrs. Wang. As long as it is not a matter of right and wrong, it is obviously unlikely that Mrs. Wang will use some trivial matters to control him.

Therefore, even though Mrs. Wang was very angry at the moment and wished she could wipe out Jia Huan, she had no choice but to endure.

As soon as Mrs. Wang and Mrs. Zhou Rui arrived at the west gate of the Grand View Garden, they ran into Jia Lian, who was hurrying over. They asked curiously, "Lian'er, what are you doing in the garden? Have you finished your work?"

Jia Lian smiled and said, "I was just about to look for Madam. I just received news that the concubine's boat is about to arrive in Tongzhou, but there are too many guests here, and we can't spare any manpower to go and greet them. Besides, it's almost noon now, and we're just about to have dinner. Everyone is busy. The eldest master and elder brother Zhen mean to let the concubine and her family stay in Tongzhou for one night, and then go and greet them tomorrow when we can spare some manpower."

Mrs. Wang was very unhappy when she heard this, and said calmly, "Have you asked the old lady?"

"I asked, and the old lady said that the concubine is Madam's sister, so it's best to let you make the decision."

Mrs. Wang was even more unhappy. After all, the old lady sent Rong Ge'er to pick up Huan Lao San when he returned to Tongzhou that day. Now that my sister and her family are here, they are not as good as Huan Lao San? So she said calmly, "It would be inconvenient for the concubine to stay in an inn in Tongzhou with her family and two girls. Moreover, if we don't go to greet them, it will be impolite after all. We will just think that we are being rude."

Jia Lian smiled and said, "That's true, but right now the two mansions really can't spare any manpower or vehicles. When the guests leave later, we'll have to send a car to take them off."

Madam Wang said calmly, "Forget it. There is no need to use the carriages and horses in our house. Although the Wang family has declined, we can still gather a few carriages and horses. You can ask Zhou Rui to notify the uncle and ask them to send a carriage to pick up the concubine and bring her directly to our house. I have prepared a place for her to stay, so the uncle does not have to worry."

Jia Lian knew that Mrs. Wang was unhappy, so he didn't dare to say anything more. He just agreed and left.

…………

In Tongzhou, the Xue family's boat finally pulled into the dock. Since the Xue family was moving to Beijing with their entire family, they brought a lot of luggage, and there were more than twenty people accompanying them, divided into three boats.

Due to heavy snow some time ago, the ships were stuck on the canal for five or six days. The weather has been sunny for two consecutive days, and the ice on the canal has melted, so the ships were able to get out of trouble. So they have to hurry up to avoid snowing again.

When Aunt Xue, Baochai and the others got off the boat, Wang Zisheng was already waiting there with his servants. As soon as he saw them, he complained, "Sister, you are so late. I have been waiting for half an hour and my legs are numb from the cold."

The Wang family has three brothers and two sisters. Aunt Xue is the fourth child and Wang Ziteng is the youngest, so he calls Aunt Xue "sister".

Aunt Xue knew that her brother was always lazy and gluttonous, so it was unusual for him to come to pick her up in person today. She said, "It's cold, and there's still some ice on the river. Plus, there are too many boats stuck on the road these days, so it's a little slow. But why are you here, Old Five?"

Wang Zisheng snorted coldly, "I am the youngest in the family. If I don't come, who will? Should I ask my eldest brother and second brother to come? My eldest brother has a cold leg and can't even walk properly. Although my second brother has retired now, he never does this kind of errands."

Xue Pan interrupted, "I thought my aunt would send someone to pick her up."

Wang Ziteng sneered, "Now the Jia family is prosperous, the eldest daughter gave birth to a prince and was promoted to imperial concubine, while your second uncle was dismissed from office. As one gains, the other loses. Naturally, people don't take our Wang family seriously. How could they be willing to send someone to pick up your mother? Your aunt has no choice but to notify our Wang family to send someone."

Xue Pan stared with his eyes wide open and said, "Are the Jia family really so snobbish? Damn it, mother, you are planning to live in the Jia family. Well, fortunately, our Xue family has our own house in the capital. We should clean up and live in our own house, so as not to be looked down upon by others if we move into the Jia family."

Xue Pan didn't want to live in the Jia family in the first place, and now he has a reason.

Aunt Xue scolded, "Don't listen to your uncle's nonsense. The Jia family is hosting a banquet today, and I'm afraid they can't spare anyone, so they asked your uncle to come and take over."

Wang Zisheng said unhappily, "I didn't say anything nonsense. The Jia family is now superior to our Wang family, and they are so arrogant. Especially my good brother-in-law, he doesn't even look at me now."

In fact, Jia Zheng had always looked down on Wang Zisheng, who was unlearned and idle, and it was not just now that he started to look down on him. However, Aunt Xue had always been easily influenced, and after hearing what Wang Zisheng said, she hesitated for a moment.

At this moment, a horseman arrived. It was Wang Furen's chambermaid Zhou Rui. Zhou Rui dismounted and bowed, saying, "I greet my uncle, my concubine, Mr. Xue, and Miss Bao."

Aunt Xue asked happily, "Did Madam ask you to come?" Zhou Rui nodded and said, "There are too many guests in the mansion now, and we are too busy to handle it. We really can't spare any carriages or people. Our Madam is afraid of neglecting Madam, so she asked the Wang family to arrange someone to pick her up. Madam said to bring Madam and her family to the mansion directly, and the place to live has been prepared long ago. Don't worry, uncle and Madam, just go and live!"

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, sister."

Aunt Xue's original intention of coming to the capital this time was to seek refuge with Lady Wang, and to enjoy the shade of the Jia family. So the whole family got on a carriage and set off for the capital. As for the several boats of luggage they brought with them, they only needed to leave someone to look after them, and then transport them to the capital in batches.

When Baochai and others arrived at the Jia Mansion, it was almost evening. Most of the guests had left and the actors had stopped. Mrs. Wang went to the second gate to greet them in person. However, they split into two groups. Xue Pan went to see Jia Zheng and Jia She, while Baochai, her daughter and Baoqin went to pay a visit to Grandmother Jia.

When Jia Baoyu learned that Xue Baochai had come to the mansion, and that she had brought a younger sister named Baoqin with her, he didn't bother pretending to be sick, and immediately ran to meet Jia's mother in her room. Before he even entered the room, he asked, "Grandmother, have my aunt and Baojie arrived?"

Grandmother Jia said to Aunt Xue and Baochai with a smile, "Baoyu is here. During the six months since you returned to Jinling, Baoyu has been talking about you a lot."

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "I'm worried about Bao-ge'er, too!"

At this time, the door curtain was lifted, and Jia Baoyu walked in like a gust of wind. He was wearing a narrow red satin jacket with hundreds of golden butterflies and flowers, a colorful silk coat with stone blue and silver mice, and a golden headband with two dragons fighting for a pearl. He was really handsome and first knelt down in front of Jia's mother and saluted: "Greetings to the old ancestor."

Seeing her precious grandson dressed so handsomely, Grandmother Jia was so happy that she couldn't stop smiling. She said with a smile, "Get up quickly. It's very cold. You don't wear more clothes outside."

"I was wearing a big woolen cloth, which I just took off when I came into the house."

"That's fine. Go and meet your aunt and sisters." Grandmother Jia rubbed Jia Baoyu's face lovingly.

Jia Baoyu could not wait any longer and turned around to greet Aunt Xue. He saw Xue Baochai, with a smile on her face, sitting quietly and gracefully beside his aunt. She looked very amiable. The next person he met was a younger sister he had never seen before, about twelve or thirteen years old. Her appearance was not inferior to that of Sister Bao and Sister Lin. He could not help but feel overjoyed.

Aunt Xue said with a smile: "I haven't seen you for half a year. Bao-ge seems to have grown a little taller."

"Yes, children grow fast. I think Baoya has grown taller too." Mrs. Wang said with a smile.

Jia Baoyu took the opportunity to salute Xue Baochai: "Sister Bao!"

"Brother Bao!" Xue Baochai stood up and bowed in return. Baoqin also stood up and bowed, calling out, "Second Brother Bao!"

Jia Baoyu smiled and sighed, "This must be Sister Qin. I thought Sister Bao and Sister Lin were already the most beautiful girls in the world, but I didn't expect that here comes another girl who is just as beautiful. It shows that I was ignorant before. Alas, how many beautiful girls are there in this world?"

Everyone couldn't help laughing, knowing that this man's madness had come back. Xue Baoqin had heard about Jia Baoyu's character a long time ago, but now she felt that it was abrupt, and blushed slightly as she said, "Second Brother Bao, you are too kind."

At this time, Yingchun, Tanchun and Xichun also came together. The sisters were naturally very happy to see each other again after a long separation. After meeting, they sat together and talked about family matters.

Grandmother Jia asked curiously, "By the way, why don't you see Yu'er?"

Jia Tanchun said hurriedly, "Sister Lin was not feeling well, so she didn't come."

Grandmother Jia sighed and said, "This child has always been weak, not even as strong as my old bones. Yuanyang, please go and see Yu'er for me later. See a doctor when necessary and take medicine when necessary. Don't delay."

Yuanyang quickly agreed.

Aunt Xue then asked, "Tan girl, I heard that Huan Ge'er is also living in the garden now. Isn't he here with you?"

As soon as these words came out, Xue Baochai, who was talking to Jia Baoyu, turned her head subconsciously and listened attentively. Jia Tanchun replied, "Huandi went out of the city to meet a friend this morning and has not returned yet."

Grandmother Jia couldn't help but frown. It was almost dark, and once the city gates were closed, no one could get in. It was freezing outside, so she asked, "Zheng'er's wife, did Huan'er say where he was going to visit his friends?"

Mrs. Wang said calmly, "Not really."

Zhou Ruijia took the opportunity to say, "Huan'er is now a scholar, and he has his own ideas. He never tells his wife when he goes out."

(End of this chapter)