Red Mansion Beijingwang

Chapter 437 Baoqin: My brother-in-law will support me
An auspicious day is suitable for getting married.

Today the Xue family is welcoming a bride, and they have been decorating the house with lights and colorful lanterns since early in the morning. Both the Xue and Xia families are imperial merchants, and the Xia family is even known as the "Osmanthus Xia Family", and is well-known in the capital. They have piles of silver, and the Xia family has only one daughter, Xia Jingui, and all the family wealth of millions is used as a dowry, so this wedding was extravagant.

Xue Xiao from the second branch of the Xue family also came back to attend his nephew's wedding banquet. At this moment, he was reporting on maritime trade matters with Shui Rong. Overall, everything was in order and there was no need to worry about anything.

After finishing the business, Xue Xiao's eyes flashed and he said, "Your Highness, my daughter is young and naive. She has been a nuisance in the palace. I am sorry to bother you."

Shui Rong took a sip of the teacup and waved his hand, saying, "Ms. Yun is lively and cute, there's nothing to bother her with. Without her, the mansion would seem boring."

As he spoke, Shui Rong looked up at Xue Xiao and said, "But if Yun girl has something to say, you might as well just tell her."

Seeing Xue Xiao's unnatural look and the sudden mention of Baoqin, Shui Rong knew that Xue Xiao must have something going on. Could it be Baoqin's marriage?
As expected, Xue Xiao said angrily: "Your Majesty has a keen eye, I admire you..."

After flattering him, Xue Xiao said, "To be honest, when I was in Beijing, I ran into someone from the Hanlin Mei family. We had a very pleasant conversation and he was interested in becoming a relative of the Xue family."

It can be called a Hanlin family. All the children in the family are top scorers in imperial examinations. It is a family of scholars. It would be a good thing for such a family to marry into the Xue family.

It's just that the prince had asked to postpone Baoqin's marriage for two years, so Xue Xiao did not make the decision. This time he came, hoping to make the prince give in and make this good thing happen.

Shui Rong paused holding the teacup, a strange look flashed across his delicate brows, and he said in a clear voice: "Qin girl is still young, there is no need to rush, let's wait for her to play for two years before we talk about it!"

Xue Xiao was slightly startled when he heard this, then he smiled and said, "That's what I meant, but Brother Mei doesn't care. He said we should get engaged first and get married in two years."

Shui Rong frowned, his eyes flickering slightly.

In fact, logically speaking, the Xue family is a royal merchant family, and Baoqin is the daughter of the second wife. If she marries into the Mei family, it would be considered marrying above her station.

However, the original novel also records the marriage between Baoqin and the Mei family. Baoqin, a girl, came to Beijing to fulfill the marriage contract. However, the Mei family broke off the engagement at the last minute. This tactic of procrastination not only delayed Baoqin, but also ruined her reputation.

A family of scholars, haha, they have read so much books that they have lost all their integrity. Such a family is just all show and no substance.

It is normal for the Mei family, a family of scholars, to look down on Baoqin, who comes from a royal merchant family. But now they are rushing to marry her. Perhaps it is because the Xue family has become prosperous with the support of Prince Beijing's Mansion, so they are just going with the flow!
Putting down the teacup in his hand, Shui Rong said calmly, "The Mei family is not a good match for Qin girl, so there is no need to mention this matter anymore."

The Mei family wants to marry Baoqin, but they are dreaming!
Xue Xiao was shocked when he heard this. How could such a good husband's family not be a good match? Such a strong refusal was not like the prince's character, it was a bit abnormal.

Shui Rong saw that Xue Xiao seemed to want to persuade him, and he was unhappy, but he didn't want to say more, so he got up and left immediately, saying: "I still have things to deal with, you go and take care of the Xue family's affairs."

Xue Xiao looked at Shui Rong's departing back, his eyes flickering slightly. The prince was acting so abnormally and strangely. Could it be that the prince had fallen in love with Qin girl?
Thinking of this, Xue Xiao felt that it was more and more possible. Otherwise, why would he be so reluctant to let Qin get married? He was planning to bring his own maid into the palace.

After a moment of silence, Xue Xiao sighed softly. As a prince, if she took a fancy to him, what could he do?

Bao girl has already entered the palace, and now the two sisters Qin girl have become a pair. Fortunately, the prince knows his temperament, so at least Qin girl will not suffer.

Besides, this matter is still uncertain, or maybe I am overthinking it, but no matter what, at least the Mei family will definitely refuse it, which is a pity.

Shui Rong left the house and walked along the corridor. After a few steps, he saw the girl coming towards him. She exclaimed "Ah" and said in surprise, "Brother-in-law."

The girl was none other than Xue Baoqin.

Xue Baoqin came up to him with cheerful little steps, raised her snowy little face, and asked with smiling eyes, "Brother-in-law, why are you here?"

Shui Rong lowered his eyes and looked at the lively girl in front of him. His eyes narrowed slightly and he smiled, "I'm just passing by. It's Sister Baoqin. Why are you here instead of playing in front?"

Baoqin's cheeks were startled, and her crystal eyes under her curved eyelashes turned slightly, flashing a cunning look, and she smiled sweetly, "I came here to find my father."

Shui Rong nodded and said, "Oh, your father is in the backyard. If you rush over now, you might be able to meet him. Sister Baoqin, go quickly."

Baoqin: "..."

Just say it, what does that "oh" with the ending sound mean? It means that he saw through her little thoughts and used it to make fun of her.

Pursing her lips, Baoqin's snowy face flushed with shame. She lowered her eyebrows and looked at the embroidered handkerchief twisted in her bare hands, and whispered, "Brother-in-law, did Daddy tell you anything about me?"

Xue Xiao had told Baoqin about the Mei family's affairs in advance. She knew that her father would discuss the matter with her brother-in-law today, so she waited outside early, waiting for her brother-in-law to come out and give her an explanation.

My brother-in-law can't go back on his word to me.

Shui Rong chuckled and nodded, "Well, your father told me about the Mei family. He said that the Mei family is a Hanlin family and they are a good match. He wants to arrange a marriage for you."

"Brother-in-law, have you agreed?" Baoqin was startled when she heard that. She raised her delicate head and looked at the young man. Her crystal eyes widened slightly under her willow-leaf eyebrows.

Could it be that he has agreed to this? How could he agree to this?

Shui Rong stared at the girl's surprised face, his eyes moved slightly, and said: "The Hanlin Mei family is a good match for our sister Baoqin, what do you think?"

"I don't want to. My brother-in-law clearly promised me. You big liar, I will never talk to you again." Baoqin spat repeatedly. Her bright eyes under her willow-leaf eyebrows were misty, and her heart felt aggrieved.

Everything was clearly agreed upon, but she didn't expect her brother-in-law to think it was suitable. She was full of expectations, but then she was hit hard by the head. Her brother-in-law was a big liar.

Shui Rong saw that the girl started crying out of grievance, so he stopped joking and comforted her, "I didn't lie to you. I've pushed the matter of the Mei family off, so don't worry, sister."

Baoqin was slightly startled when she heard this. She looked at the young man with her bright eyes and asked suspiciously, "Are you serious?"

Don't try to coax her!

Shui Rong smiled, reached out and rubbed the girl's head, and said softly: "Of course I take it seriously. Brother-in-law has never lied to you. If you don't want to marry, then don't marry."

Although it is said that "parents' orders and matchmaker's words", Shui Rong's identity is here. Even if Xue Xiao is Bao Qin's father, he cannot make the decision privately. Otherwise, Xue Xiao would not come to ask him for instructions.

Of course, unless Xue Xiao is willing to take the risk of offending him, but unless he is a fool, he will not be stupid enough to do this.

Baoqin was delighted when she heard that. She looked up at the smiling young man, her face slightly warmed. She turned her body, wiped her eyes with an embroidered handkerchief, and said angrily, "My brother-in-law is so bad."

He knew that she was worried, but he still tried to comfort her in a roundabout way. How bad he was.

Water soluble: "."

This is extremely bad. You have never seen how bad your brother-in-law can be.

Shui Rong had an unnatural look on his face, and he coughed lightly, then said, "Sister Baoqin, I'll let you do what you want this time, but girls will get married sooner or later. What kind of girl do you like, I'll let your brother-in-law check it for you tomorrow."

Baoqin's body trembled when she heard the words, her snow-white face flushed slightly, shyness overflowed between her eyebrows, and her bright eyes were like dewdrops, with a little fluorescence.

Really, why ask myself such an embarrassing question?

But what kind of person she likes is someone who dotes on her like her brother-in-law, but how can she say it out loud?

Biting her pink lips with her pearly teeth, Baoqin whispered, "I won't get married."

If she gets married, she will have to leave the palace, and she is unwilling to do so unless
Shui Rong raised his eyebrows slightly, staring at the petite back of the girl, who had a graceful figure, and said softly: "Sister, you don't want to get married, do you want to become a nun?" It is difficult for a girl to stay unmarried in the secular world, unless she is a person who resigns herself to the world. Otherwise, those gossips can drive her to death.

Baoqin's beautiful eyes flickered when she heard this. She turned around and looked at the young man with her head raised. She blinked her bright eyes under her curved eyebrows and said playfully, "I'll stay in the palace to accompany my sister, or does my brother-in-law not welcome me and want to drive me out?"

Shui Rong stared at the innocent and innocent look of the girl, and his heart was slightly moved. He said, "Brother-in-law welcomes you, so why would he chase you out?"

"That's it. Then I won't get married." Baoqin was delighted and smiled sweetly. The youth and liveliness of a girl were reflected on her delicate little face.

I just know that my brother-in-law dotes on her.

Shui Rong felt amused and stretched out his hand to pinch the girl's slightly chubby face, which was soft and smooth. He joked, "You really don't plan to get married. Don't be silly. If you really stay with Bao Yatou, be careful that Bao Yatou will dislike you for eating too much and kick you out."

Baoqin's face flushed when she heard that, her delicate eyebrows were full of shame and anger, and her beautiful eyes couldn't help but glare at the young man.

What do you mean she eats a lot? It's just that I eat a little more on weekdays. Is there any need to make fun of her for this?

Her beautiful eyes moved slightly, and Baoqin twisted a strand of black hair hanging on her jade shoulders with her bare hands. She tilted her head slightly, and the earrings hanging on her crystal earlobes sparkled in the sunlight, shining brightly. She murmured in a low voice: "Then my brother-in-law will support me."

Shui Rong's heart moved when he heard this. He stared at the girl in front of him with his brows slightly raised.

What did Baoqin say just now? Was she asking him to raise her? Did she understand the meaning of the word "raise"? Was this what Baoqin should say? Or was it because Baoqin was young and was just joking?
However, when Shui Rong saw the rose-red spots appearing on the girl's snow-white neck and extending to her earlobes, he suddenly realized that Bao Qin's previous words were not just a joke.

Thinking of this, Shui Rong's heart moved slightly. He reached out and held the girl's soft hand, and said softly: "Sister, just stay in the palace. No one will drive you away."

Baoqin's delicate body trembled, her heart filled with shyness and astonishment. She didn't expect that the boy would actually hold her hand. What did this mean? Was it a response to her?

Sister, it was her brother-in-law who pulled her hand, she didn't want to pull it herself.

Before she could react, Baoqin heard the young man's words that were almost a promise. His face, as white as a pear blossom and rosy as a rose, was filled with joy.

Shui Rong understood what was going on when he saw that the girl did not resist. The corners of his mouth curved into a smile, and he was very pleased.

Baoqin was originally a perfect daughter. How could Shuirong not like her? Especially her lively and cheerful personality made Shuirong love her even more.

Previously, when Xue Xiao wanted Baoqin to get engaged to the Mei family, Shui Rong felt uncomfortable. Moreover, knowing the character of the Mei family, he was even more unwilling to let Baoqin go to the Mei family and suffer grievances.

Now that Baoqin was allowed to be raised by him, Shui Rong was overjoyed and how could he possibly refuse? Such a perfect person should have stayed by his side.

"Brother-in-law~" Baoqin felt very embarrassed when she saw the young man holding her hand tightly. This is a corridor, and if someone came over, it would be so embarrassing.

When Shui Rong heard the soft Wu dialect call, his heart trembled slightly. When he was about to say something, he saw someone walking towards him. His eyes moved slightly and he let go of his hand.

"Your Highness."

Baoqin was slightly startled when she saw the young man let go of her hand, but before she could ask, she heard a sweet voice coming from him, which made the girl feel embarrassed.

No wonder my brother-in-law let go of my hand. It turned out that someone came. I hope we won’t be seen!
Shui Rong looked at the person who came. She was wearing a pearl hairpin on her head and a bright blue dress. It was the lovely Ping'er.

The Xue family had a wedding and held a grand banquet for their guests. As the Jia family share the same fate, it was natural that they would also come as guests. Grandmother Jia, Sister Feng, and Mrs. Wang were all present.

Ping'er came closer and glanced at Baoqin out of the corner of her eye. Her heart was slightly moved. She had never seen the girl in front of her, but from her appearance and clothes, she knew that she was a young lady. She had seemed quite close to the prince from a distance before. Could she be the prince's new beauty?

But these were not her business. Yingying bowed and lowered her eyes without saying anything.

Seeing Ping'er was unmoved, Shui Rong lowered his eyes to glance at Baoqin and said gently, "Qin girl, you can go back first. You don't have to worry about your father."

Baoqin glanced at Ping'er, pursed her pink lips slightly, responded softly, and left with happy steps.

After Baoqin left, Shui Rong looked up at Ping'er, rolled up his sleeves, and asked, "Now, what trouble is Sister Feng going to cause again?"

Since Ping'er came looking for him on her own initiative, there was no need to think too much. It must be that the pretty-faced Second Madam Lian was getting restless. This tiger-like woman dared to attack even him when she got angry.

Ping Er knelt on the ground and begged, "My Lord, could you please go with me to persuade my grandmother?"

Shui Rong stared at the beautiful woman kneeling in front of him and frowned. What was Sister Feng trying to do with all this fuss?
After a long silence, Shui Rong took a seat on the side railing without any hurry, lowered his eyes to look at the earnest Ping'er, and said calmly: "What's wrong with Sister Feng?"

Ping'er raised her beautiful head and looked at the young man. Her bright eyes under her willow-shaped eyebrows were sparkling. She said with a choked voice: "My Lord, because of Aunt Liu's matter, my grandmother is upset. Although she behaves normally on weekdays, I know she is suffering a lot. She couldn't help wiping tears in the middle of the night a few days ago. I feel bad seeing this. I hope that my Lord can go and persuade my grandmother so that she can feel more at ease."

Shui Rong frowned, feeling somewhat unbelievable. Was the person Ping'er was talking about the Feng Jieer he knew? Such a domineering and strong person would secretly wipe away tears in the middle of the night. Could she be a fake Feng Jieer?

"Oh, Sister Feng is a heroine, why would she cry so much?" Shui Rong's face was sullen, he didn't quite believe what Ping'er said. In his opinion, maybe Sister Feng was trying to gain sympathy by playing the victim.

Ping'er bit her lips tightly with her pearly teeth and sighed, "Don't tease grandma, my lord. No matter how heroic my grandma is, she is still a woman. Seeing the second master and concubine Liu getting close every day, just like a real couple, no one can stand it."

Shui Rong's heart paused slightly when he heard this, and he finally understood. Just as Ping'er said, no matter how strong Feng Jieer was, she was still a woman. Right now the couple was not getting along. As her husband, Jia Lian was having an affair with Concubine Liu, and they were even pregnant. As his wife, Feng Jieer was treated like an outsider. She knew how it felt.

After a pause, Shui Rong said calmly, "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have done it in the first place. Sister Feng is asking for it."

To be honest, Feng Jieer's domineering personality is something that few people can tolerate even in a world where everyone is equal, let alone in a feudal society where men are superior to women. This behavior can be regarded as heresy.

The difference is that Feng Jieer is capable and can have a bright future in an equal society, but here, gossip is inevitable and she may not even be able to raise her head. How can Feng Jieer, who has always been strong-willed, tolerate this?

"Your Highness, how could Madam suffer this?" Ping'er couldn't help but refute Shui Rong when she heard him say this. However, as soon as she finished speaking, she reacted and bowed her head, saying, "I am sorry for my words. Please forgive me, Your Highness."

Shui Rong glanced at Ping'er and said calmly, "Ping'er, I know you are loyal to your master, but you must be realistic. Your grandmother is known for her jealousy."

All the young masters of powerful families have three wives and four concubines, but Feng Jie is different. As soon as she got married, she drove out all the maids around Jia Lian. Even if a female mosquito approached, she would spit and curse. As a grown man, she was completely disgraced.

With such jealousy, it is only a matter of time before the relationship between husband and wife is over. In the original novel, the couple had a complete falling out because of You Erjie. If it weren't for the disaster that happened to the Jia family, their situation wouldn't be much better.

Ping'er felt unconvinced when she heard this, but she couldn't stand her grandmother's jealousy sometimes, and sometimes she would feel sorry for the Second Master.

When Shui Rong saw Ping'er remained silent, he understood in his heart that in this world, Feng Jieer was wrong, and this was irrefutable.

After a pause, Shui Rong changed the subject and said, "Ping'er, why did you come to me to persuade Sister Feng?"

In fact, Shui Rong and Feng Jieer were not close, and they even had some conflicts. After those slaps, Feng Jieer must have been furious, so how could it be of any use trying to persuade her?

Ping'er replied softly, "Your Highness is fair in his dealings, and Madam still trusts you, so I wanted to ask Your Highness to comfort Madam."

Of course, this is just one of the reasons. In fact, the reason why I came to ask the prince for comfort is actually because the prince is in a high position and has great power. I hope that the prince can show some grace so that grandma can relax.

Shui Rong looked at Ping'er intently, remained silent for a while, then stood up and said, "Forget it, lead the way."

Ping Er was delighted when she heard this, and quickly replied, "Yes, I thank you, Your Majesty."

(End of this chapter)