When Jia Baoyu’s voice reached Daiyu’s ears, she thought she had misheard.
Wang Xifeng reacted quickly. The moment she heard the commotion, she headed outside. Before Daiyu could even turn around, Wang Xifeng had already grabbed Jia Baoyu.
“Brother Bao has come over. Things are busy here—go sit with Grandmother for a while first,” Wang Xifeng said as she spoke, hastily signaling Ping’er with her eyes to fetch Yuanyang, so they could quickly take this little master—whom no one dared offend—away.
“Sister, let me see Cousin Lin,” Jia Baoyu pleaded tearfully. “Good sister, don’t send someone to call Grandmother. Just let me say one thing first.”
Wang Xifeng had always stood firmly with Grandmother Jia and was a steadfast supporter of the two Jades, but now that the Emperor had bestowed the marriage, even Grandmother Jia could say nothing more. At most, Wang Xifeng would sigh about it to Ping’er in private.
She coaxed him gently. “Good brother, there will naturally be chances for you to talk with your cousin in the future. But right now she truly doesn’t have the time. You…”
Before she could finish speaking, Jia Baoyu was already shouting impatiently, “Cousin Lin, why aren’t you saying anything? Say something, Cousin Lin!”
“Even if the Emperor has bestowed the marriage, does that mean all the affection we shared in the past has been erased?” Jia Baoyu wrenched himself free of Wang Xifeng’s grip, shoved aside Zijuan and the other maids blocking him, and rushed up to Daiyu, crying out heedlessly, “Cousin Lin, have you really cast aside all feeling?”
These words made Wang Xifeng’s vision go dark. Heavens above—she was used to being lawless and speaking without restraint, but joking a little was one thing. Shouting like this at the top of his lungs—what was he trying to do, have all the servants of the Duke of Rong’s residence come watch the masters make a spectacle of themselves?
“So what if I speak? So what if I don’t care? What do you want to do?” Daiyu raised her eyes to look at him. Her eyes were bright and clear, her face devoid of any trace of tears.
“What can you do?”
Jia Baoyu’s face was streaked with tears. Hearing Daiyu’s successive questions, he froze for a moment, feeling unbearable anguish, and cried again, “At least… at least let us speak again. If we can’t be together in life or death, we can still talk…”
By then, Yuanyang had already been summoned by Ping’er. Wang Xifeng, together with Yuanyang and the maids, all joined in, trying to pull Jia Baoyu away. Jia Baoyu struggled desperately, crying out nonstop.
Daiyu stood to the side and shook her head weakly. Such words could have been spoken in the past—even though Jia Baoyu could never live up to them.
But now that her engagement to Prince Duan was irrevocable, saying such things only added trouble and gossip.
Not seeing each other was the best possible ending for them.
Though Daiyu’s conscience was clear and she had never crossed any bounds, the matter between her and Jia Baoyu had long been whispered about by many servants in the Jia household. Daiyu was not unaware of this.
A young lady’s reputation was paramount. If even the slightest rumor reached the Empress Dowager’s ears, the one to suffer would not be Daiyu alone. Otherwise, Grandmother Jia would not have been so harsh with the grandson she loved most, allowing Lady Wang to confine him.
Jia Baoyu was indulging his own impulses. He felt relieved himself, never considering what consequences might follow.
Daiyu had always known he was like this. Grandmother Jia was the first to indulge him—what could Daiyu do?
Seeing the chaos grow worse, with young maids and old nannies already gathering outside, Daiyu rubbed her aching temples. Just as she was about to speak, she suddenly heard a shrill cry from outside:
“Baoyu!”
Daiyu was startled and turned to look. Lady Wang rushed in with Xiren, Yuchuan, and others. She yanked Jia Baoyu over and slapped him hard across the face.
The entire room was stunned. Lady Wang had actually struck her precious son.
“Didn’t I tell you to calm your mind and study properly?” Lady Wang shouted angrily. “I merely looked away for a moment, and someone egged you on to run out and make trouble! Which untrained wretch is it? Or is there some vixen seducing your soul, teaching you to shout like this without regard for propriety!”
Such pointed words, laced with insinuation, left no doubt about whom Lady Wang was scolding.
Daiyu’s face went pale at once. She swayed, nearly unable to stand, but Zijuan reacted swiftly and supported her.
Who taught Jia Baoyu to come and make a scene? Who taught him to say such improper words?
Twisting right and wrong! Confounding black and white!
Such a vile accusation was utterly devastating to a young woman. Daiyu felt a sharp pain in her chest and her head spinning, unable to speak for a moment.
Having been slapped, Jia Baoyu no longer dared speak. He hunched his shoulders and stood beside Lady Wang.
Grandmother Jia arrived belatedly, supported by Hupo. Her face was dark as she said, “What are you making such a fuss about now?”
Wang Xifeng hurried over to help her. “Why has this alarmed you, Grandmother—”
Grandmother Jia cut her off, her sharp gaze turning on Lady Wang. “I may be old, but I’m not yet muddleheaded!”
“Lin girl is now preparing for marriage and will soon belong to the imperial family. She has a good temperament and does not fuss over rank or status, but we must know what matters,” Grandmother Jia said, her aged yet still formidable eyes sweeping over everyone present. “From now on, no one is to behave improperly before Miss Lin, nor speak nonsense!”
“Whoever dares wag their tongue and lets it reach my ears—don’t blame me for being ruthless!” Grandmother Jia declared decisively.
Before her mother-in-law, Lady Wang could only swallow her anger. She panted heavily, feeling deeply aggrieved. Had she said anything wrong? Wasn’t it the Lin girl who had ensnared Baoyu? All these years, that wild Lin girl had bewitched Baoyu until he saw only her, even forgetting his own mother!
As Lady Wang simmered with resentment, Grandmother Jia shot her a glare. “Why are you still standing there? Hurry up and take Baoyu back!”
Lady Wang suppressed her fury. “Yes.”
Mindful of her son and grandson, Grandmother Jia did not further humiliate Lady Wang and said, “All of you, disperse.”
Just as everyone was about to leave and let the matter pass lightly, Daiyu spoke up, “Wait. I have something to say.”
Grandmother Jia frowned. “Yu’er…”
Daiyu ignored her and continued. “Grandmother, I was quietly minding my own business in my room. Sister Feng and all these maids and nannies saw it with their own eyes. For no reason at all, people came here to make a ruckus, and I do not even know why.”
“In the future, I do not wish to be disturbed again by irrelevant people.” Daiyu looked at Lady Wang, her gaze cold.
Lady Wang’s face flushed red with rage. “You—”
Daiyu indifferently looked away, standing tall with her head held high.
Lady Wang could splash filth on her at will—did that mean Daiyu was not allowed to strike back?
Why should Daiyu suffer such unwarranted calamity?
Grandmother Jia understood Daiyu’s meaning and could not help sighing. Lin girl truly could not bear even the slightest grievance. It was also that second son’s wife who caused too much trouble. Now that the second branch and Lin girl had fallen out to this extent, it would not be easy to mend things in the future. And she was still hoping that Daiyu, as a princess consort, could one day protect the second branch and Baoyu!
Fortunately, Daiyu had no proper natal family and would inevitably rely on her uncles and cousins in the future. Grandmother Jia thought that she could slowly mediate later—whether Daiyu cared for Lady Wang was not important; she would surely take her uncles and Baoyu into account.
Fearing that Lady Wang, so lacking in sense, might start another argument, Grandmother Jia waved her hand, telling Wang Xifeng and Yuanyang to take everyone out. She herself remained behind, intending to say a few more intimate words to Daiyu.
Supported by Zijuan, Daiyu sat down on the couch and said weakly, “Grandmother, I’m tired. I need to rest for a while.”
With that, Daiyu leaned against the soft cushion, closed her eyes, and said no more.
Grandmother Jia opened her mouth—this girl was actually sulking with her now.
But she could not force the matter and had to rise with Hupo’s support. “Rest well. We’ll talk tomorrow.”
Daiyu did not respond.
……
Two days later.
After breakfast, just as Grandmother Jia was about to ask Wang Xifeng whether Daiyu’s luggage was ready, a nanny hurried in to report.
“Grandmother, Steward Lai says Prince Duan has come to fetch Miss Lin.”
The daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law serving Grandmother Jia had not yet withdrawn. Upon hearing this, everyone was startled; Lady Wang’s expression was especially unpleasant.
Grandmother Jia hurriedly said, “Quickly send people to attend His Highness!”
The nanny replied, “The eldest master, the second master, and Second Master Lian have already gone.”
Grandmother Jia nodded, then said to Daiyu, “Quickly change your clothes. I’ll escort you to the front. Feng girl, go oversee people packing your sister’s luggage properly.”
Wang Xifeng responded and hurried off. Daiyu had been startled at first, but now she had calmed down. Prince Duan’s personal visit must again be the Empress Dowager’s arrangement.
From the day before yesterday, it was clear that Prince Duan was acting with reluctance.
And Daiyu herself was equally unwilling.
They were both impatiently going through the motions for the Empress Dowager.
Daiyu pondered whether Prince Duan might be intending to come up with a once-and-for-all solution. Otherwise, with the Empress Dowager producing one move after another, it truly exhausted and annoyed people.
When Grandmother Jia led Daiyu to the front, followed by a string of daughters-in-law and granddaughters-in-law, the Jia men were sitting awkwardly in the lower seats, while Prince Duan sat in the place of honor, propping his chin, bored out of his mind.
Seeing Prince Duan, Grandmother Jia was momentarily taken aback. She had assumed that Prince Duan, long plagued by illness, would look sickly, yet instead he was a handsome, refined young man with an air of elegance.
He suited Daiyu well.
“Greetings, Your Highness,” Grandmother Jia led everyone forward to pay their respects.
Chu Heng nodded. “You may rise. Please sit.”
Jia She and Jia Zheng stepped forward to help Grandmother Jia sit. Smiling at Chu Heng, Grandmother Jia said, “Thank you for making this trip, Your Highness. Lin girl is truly blessed.”
Today, Chu Heng was willing to acknowledge the Jia family for two reasons. First, he had been sitting in the carriage for a long time and wanted to stretch his legs. Second, he wished to discuss with Miss Lin a way to deal with the Empress Dowager—it would not do to be too discourteous.
Chu Heng smiled politely. “After seeing the Empress Dowager, we must leave the city. It would not be good to delay. Old Madam, please allow me to first take Miss Lin into the palace.”
Grandmother Jia had prepared other remarks, but hearing this, she could only swallow them back and instead smile. “Indeed, we must not delay matters for the Empress Dowager. Please, Your Highness.”
Chu Heng rose. “Miss Lin, please.”
Everyone watched them with smiles, except for Lady Wang, whose expression was particularly vivid.
Daiyu was full of surprise, unable to guess what Prince Duan was up to. Surely this could not also be the Empress Dowager’s decree?
Only after the carriage left Ningrong Street did Daiyu finally understand Chu Heng’s plan.
“So Your Highness was so courteous today because you first wanted to give me a favor, so that I would help you deal with the Empress Dowager.”