When Xue Baochai returned, Aunt Xue was secretly wiping away tears. Baochai was instantly alarmed and hurried forward to hold her mother’s shoulders, asking, “Mother, what’s wrong?”
Aunt Xue wept as she spoke. “Your brother’s marriage still hasn’t been settled, and as for you, there’s no word from your aunt either. Now she’s even looking for a suitable young lady for Baoyu. How could I not cry?”
Hearing her mother’s words, Xue Baochai’s expression also darkened. When they had first come to the capital, who could have imagined things would come to this?
Thinking of all the effort she had put in over the years, only to gain nothing, Xue Baochai could not help shedding tears as well.
However, her brother was unreliable, and her mother was indecisive. Baochai knew that clinging together and crying would solve nothing. She slowly began to calculate in her mind, and after a while, she wiped away her tears.
“Mother, didn’t my brother stop over at the Guihua Xia family on one of his trading trips? When he came back, he mentioned them several times, saying they have only one daughter, who is literate and good-looking. My brother seemed interested as well. Mother might as well discuss it with Aunt and Sister Feng, find a suitable person, and go propose marriage to their family.”
“The Guihua Xia family?” Aunt Xue stopped crying and thought for a moment. “They’re old acquaintances of ours, and both families are imperial merchants, so they’re fairly well matched. But given your brother’s situation… there’s nothing we hide among ourselves. I’m afraid they might look down on him.”
Back then, after forcibly seizing Xiangling and causing Feng Yuan’s death, Xue Pan had walked away unscathed on the surface. But Jia Yucun’s later judgment had turned Xue Pan into a living corpse.
Both the Wang and Jia families had accepted Jia Yucun’s handling of the matter and even promoted him successively. How could the Xue family, dependent on others’ favor, dare to say a word?
Xue Baochai said, “Precisely because of this, Aunt and Sister Feng must step in. If the Xia family knows that the Rongguo House is sending someone to propose on my brother’s behalf, they surely won’t refuse.”
Hearing this, Aunt Xue rejoiced. “Yes, yes. As long as your aunt comes forward, there’s nothing that won’t succeed. But…” She hesitated again. “Why would your aunt be willing? Even your own matter, she has…”
“Mother!” Xue Baochai interrupted her. “Just tell Aunt that the Xia family has only this one daughter. She’ll be willing.” As she spoke, she leaned over and whispered a few words in her ear.
The Xue family was in dire straits now and badly needed a generous dowry to prop things up—and wasn’t the Jia family the same?
Aunt Xue nodded, though she still felt it was a pity. “If they shave off a layer, how much will be left for our family? I don’t know if we’ll even be able to put together your dowry…”
Xue Baochai shook her head. “If we don’t let them take it, we won’t get anything at all.”
That was true. Aunt Xue felt less distressed and looked at her daughter again. “Once your brother’s matter is settled, what about yours?”
Recently, whenever marriage was mentioned, Xue Baochai’s head ached. She took a deep breath and said, “As for Aunt, this time we should do her a favor. At the very least, she’ll look into it and can surely find me a suitable family.”
Xue Baochai was already nearing twenty. If she didn’t marry soon, she would truly become an old maid! Who knew how many people were secretly laughing at her? Even if she didn’t want to be anxious, she had to be.
Aunt Xue grew flustered upon hearing this. “What? Then then then… what about Baoyu?”
“Mother, don’t think about him anymore. Aunt has already made it clear she won’t want…” Xue Baochai, after all, was still an unmarried young woman. Being so rejected by her own aunt made her choke up involuntarily. “It’s better to make other plans while there’s still time.”
Over the years, the best family they could hope to ally with had been the Jia family. To give that up now—Aunt Xue truly couldn’t accept it.
But she was used to listening to her daughter and couldn’t think of resisting for the moment. She only agreed first. “All right. Another day I’ll speak to your aunt.”
Xue Baochai nodded. She had no idea that this trip her mother would make would trigger a chain of events beyond her imagination, eventually implicating her as well.
…
Daiyu had just finished organizing the many rewards and sorting out those meant to be given away when Zhao Qing once again came to the Jia household by Prince Duan’s order.
Since Daiyu was currently living in the Old Madam’s courtyard, Zhao Qing could not avoid her. This time, however, there were no other outsiders present.
Zhao Qing smiled and said, “His Highness saw that Miss liked this zither last time and specially ordered this servant to deliver it to you.”
Seeing that it was a zither Prince Duan had once used, and recalling the music she had heard that day, Daiyu could not help feeling a little wistful.
“Thank His Highness for me,” Daiyu said as she rose.
Zhao Qing bowed. “Miss Lin, His Highness repeatedly instructed me to beg you not to stand on ceremony.”
Daiyu smiled. “Rituals must not be neglected.”
Zhao Qing dared not say more and could only bend even lower. Daiyu had no intention of making things difficult for him. After sitting down, she said, “Eunuch, please sit and have some tea.”
Watching Zhao Qing’s fearful and respectful manner, the Old Madam pondered silently. Prince Duan clearly valued Miss Lin greatly, yet for some reason, he showed no warmth toward the Jia family at all.
There was no way for the Old Madam to work on Prince Duan directly—she would have to rely on Miss Lin to exert some effort.
After Zhao Qing was sent off, the Old Madam held Daiyu’s hand and said, “Good child, it’s rare that His Highness is so attentive. Since you can’t meet him right now, you should still prepare some return gifts.”
Daiyu lowered her eyes. “His Highness bestows gifts that I cannot refuse. If I give something in return… wouldn’t that be private exchanges?”
“Silly girl…” the Old Madam laughed. “You’re already an engaged couple, not doing this behind anyone’s back. How could it be so serious? I think you’ve read yourself into stiffness.”
Daiyu smiled slightly. “It’s just that I have nothing suitable to give His Highness.”
The Old Madam quickly said with a smile, “A young lady’s needlework is perfect for this. Your embroidery has always been good—embroider some handkerchiefs or sachets now, so they can be used as return gifts later. Does Prince Duan like women’s poetry? Daiyu, has he ever hinted at it?”
Prince Duan did like it—but Daiyu never wrote poetry to please anyone.
With a faint smile, Daiyu said, “Grandmother, you don’t know. His Highness speaks little and doesn’t like meeting people. I’ve only seen him a few times in front of the Empress Dowager. How would I know such things?”
“Is that so…” The Old Madam was somewhat doubtful. With only a few meetings, judging by the respect shown by Prince Duan’s close attendant, it didn’t seem to be just for the sake of Prince Duan’s filial piety toward the Empress Dowager. He must value Daiyu greatly. Could that really happen in just a few encounters?
Then she looked at Daiyu’s face and immediately dismissed the doubt. With such character and appearance, even one meeting would be enough to stand out.
It really had to be Miss Lin.
Already able to capture Prince Duan’s attention—once they were married, binding his heart would be easy. Becoming close to the Jia family would only take a word from Daiyu once she realized she had to rely on them.
The Old Madam felt reassured. She stroked Daiyu’s cheek and smiled. “Just do some needlework for now. Who knows—His Highness may send you more things soon. You’ll need them for the na-cai rite as well.”
Though the smile was affectionate, Daiyu felt a chill down her spine.
…
Aunt Xue went on and on about wanting to propose marriage to the Xia family. Lady Wang was not a clever woman, but with the Xue family hinting this far, she could not fail to understand the implication.
Lady Wang herself did not lack silver, but the Jia family’s accounts were already riddled with holes and urgently needed replenishment. Agreeing to the Xue family would ease the Jia family’s immediate difficulties and also bring her personal benefit—a very good deal.
Lady Wang nodded and had someone summon Sister Feng. Aunt Xue was overjoyed and flattered her sister with a few words.
Just as Lady Wang was feeling pleased, someone outside announced, “Miss Lin has arrived!”
Lady Wang’s face immediately fell. She then tried to force a genial smile, but her eyes were icy and the corners of her mouth stiff, making her expression look quite strange and causing Aunt Xue’s heart to tremble.
Ever since the scene she had caused at Miss Lin’s place, Baoyu had been dazed and unfocused, showing no improvement to this day. The official matchmaker also had no good news…
Aunt Xue understood her sister well. She would surely blame all of this on Miss Lin.
Seeing Daiyu enter, Aunt Xue greeted her. “Greetings to Madam and Aunt.”
“Why has the young miss come over?” Lady Wang asked with a forced smile.
Daiyu smiled. “There are some fine fabrics and medicinal tonics bestowed by the palace. I wouldn’t dare enjoy them alone, so I’ve selected some suitable ones to offer to my elders.”
Lady Wang barely maintained her expression. “We lack none of these things. You should keep them for yourself.”
“I know the elders lack nothing. It’s only a small token of filial piety,” Daiyu replied politely.
Watching this, Aunt Xue felt that Miss Lin was truly a rare good girl. Yet her own sister disliked her—she wouldn’t even offer her a cup of tea, let alone invite her to sit.
Lady Wang had nothing else to say and could only instruct Yuchuan to accept the gifts. They were merely fine materials. Though the Jia family was in difficulty, it was not to the point of needing this. What was there to show off?
Daiyu then smiled at Aunt Xue. “I went to Aunt’s place earlier, but Aunt wasn’t at home. I asked Sister Xiangling to accept the items for now.”
Aunt Xue smiled warmly. “Oh my, you even made a trip over. Sending a little maid would have done. I’ve been busy lately—another day your sister and I will go see you.”
Daiyu chatted with Aunt Xue for a couple of sentences, then took her leave of Lady Wang.
From beginning to end, Lady Wang never once invited Daiyu to sit.
Not only those accompanying Daiyu, but even Aunt Xue and the servants in the room muttered a few words among themselves. Lady Wang ate vegetarian meals and chanted Buddha’s name all day, yet today she had been excessively harsh toward a junior.
Daiyu had no complaints. She was merely fulfilling her courtesy; how others behaved was a matter of their upbringing.
If a dog bites you, must you bite back?
Inside the inner room, Aunt Xue sighed to Lady Wang. “Miss Lin truly understands propriety. Only she is fit to be a princess consort. Poor Baochai—she still has no prospect…”
Lady Wang sneered. “Look at how shallow you are. It’s just a few trifles. You’re still the noble consort’s own aunt!”
Seeing her sister angry, Aunt Xue dared not speak further, though she felt dissatisfied inside. How were these the same thing? Her daughter becoming a noble consort was indeed honorable, and no one said otherwise. But did praising Miss Lin contradict that? Why didn’t you address what I said about Baochai!
The more Lady Wang thought about it, the angrier she became. Baoyu was obsessed with Daiyu and thus unable to secure a good match, while that Lin girl could swagger in front of her—truly hateful!
“Come here,” Lady Wang whispered a few words to Aunt Xue. Aunt Xue was greatly alarmed and shook her head repeatedly, but Lady Wang added, “Once this matter is handled, I will make arrangements for Baochai myself.”
Aunt Xue continued shaking her head in refusal. Yet under Lady Wang’s pressure, before Wang Xifeng entered the room, she finally nodded.