Chapter 23: Baochai Enters the Mansion

  Madam Wang's trusted servant Zhou Rui's family brought Aunt Xue into the Jia Mansion through a side door and arranged for her to stay in the already prepared Li Xiang Yuan.

  "Madam, the lady is still at old madam's place, she will come to see you all in a while." Zhou Rui's wife was brought over by Wang Fu Ren from the Wang family, so naturally she knew Madam Xue. She had a flattering expression on her face as she faced Madam Xue.

  "Alright." Aunt Xue looked around the environment of Li Xiang Yuan, which was a small courtyard belonging to the Jia Mansion, but it was close to the main street, so it would be more convenient to go out later. Aunt Xue nodded in satisfaction and signaled Zhou Rui to help move things.

  Xue Baochai entered her own room and had Ying'er help her tidy up, washing away the dust of the journey. In fact, they had been out for a long time, but Xue Pan had been playing around everywhere along the way, which was why they arrived in Beijing so late.

  "Xianglian, put those books over there." Baochai directed.

  "Yes, miss." Xiangqiang said with her head down, murmuring. She was very beautiful, but had a poor fate, having been kidnapped by kidnappers since childhood and not knowing what her surname was. Fortunately, that scholar wanted to marry her as his wife, but unfortunately, she was snatched away again.

  Baochai frowned and looked at Xianglian, well, she would protect her for the time being.

  Inside the house was in a flurry of packing, when someone opened the curtain, "Sister, you've finally arrived." Madame Wang smiled and walked in, followed by two maids who looked somewhat alike.

  "Sister, it's been years since we last met, and you're still so capable and efficient." Aunt Xue welcomed her with a smile that lit up her entire face. "This time, Pan'er's matter has troubled both of you and your husband," Aunt Xue said in a low voice, filled with gratitude. This time, Xue Pan had gotten into trouble, and Jia Zheng had also posted bail.

  "It's nothing." Mrs. Wang smiled, feeling satisfied in her heart. In fact, Mr. Jia didn't know about this matter at all, and she had used his seal privately. If he found out, he might get angry too, but since things have already turned out like this, there was no harm done anyway. "Do you think it's okay here, little sister?" Mrs. Wang sat down in the main seat.

  "Sister's arrangement is naturally good." Xue Auntie arrived at Wang Furen's side, "Pan'er and Chai'er come quickly to pay respects and ask for blessings from your aunt."

  "Give greetings to Aunt Xue." said Xue Pan and Baochai in unison.

  Mrs. Wang took a glance at Xue Pan, and with a look of disgust, she turned away her gaze. However, Mrs. Xue didn't notice it. But when she saw Baochai, her eyes were filled with satisfaction - not bad, not bad, just right to be her own daughter-in-law. Then she could force Xue Pan to give up the Xue family's property, and everything of the Xue family would belong to hers. This was Mrs. Wang's true intention. She thought to herself that Xue Pan was a good-for-nothing anyway, and it would be better for the Xue family to fall into Baochai's hands. And then Baochai would become her own daughter-in-law - not bad, not bad.

  "Sister, let's go and pay our respects to Granny. Bao Yu is there too, let him see his own precious sister."

  Aunt Xue nodded and took Baoyu and Xiangling to pay their respects to Grandmother Jia.

  Matriarch Jia sat on the couch, with Yuanyang standing behind her, while Baoyu stood beside them telling amusing stories to try and lift Matriarch Jia's spirits. However, Matriarch Jia remained deep in thought, her brow furrowed. The three Spring sisters sat quietly off to one side.

  "Old lady, Aunt Xue has brought Master and Miss Xue here." a servant girl said as she came in.

  Madam Wang nodded but didn't move.

  "Pay respects to the old lady." Xue's mother-in-law, Baochai and Xue Pan said in unison as they made their bows.

  "Everyone get up." Lady Jia said calmly, "This is Baoyu's daughter-in-law, come and let me take a look." Lady Jia sneered in her heart, she knew what Wang's wife was thinking, but how could the daughter of a merchant family be worthy of Bao Yu?

  Baoyu walked calmly over, looking at Grandmother Jia. This old lady who had controlled the Jia household for so many years naturally had her own ways of doing things. Perhaps he could learn a thing or two from her.

  "As expected, she's quite a looker, probably around eleven years old." Lady Jia saw the same sparkle in Baochai's eyes as her own when she was younger, and thought it absurd that Mrs. Wang would try to control such a girl.

  "Yes, I'm eleven this year." Baochai lowered her head, just in time for Baoyu to catch a glimpse of her face.

  "This sister is really good-looking, but not as good-looking as Lin's sister." Bao Yu said straightforwardly, making Madame Wang very embarrassed.

  "Alright, let's have lunch together." Lady Jia helped to ease the awkwardness for Baoyu. Aunt Xue smiled wryly, and her impression of Baoyu greatly decreased. However, she remembered that Lin Daiyu had caused her own son to suffer a great defeat at the Peach Blossom Festival last time. If she had the chance, she would definitely make things difficult for Lin Daiyu. Some people always forget their own status and always want to find trouble with those who are superior to them, which is destined to be their tragic fate.

  In Lin's residence, Daiyu calmly looked at the intelligence in her hand. Xue Baochai, you've arrived? It really took a long time.

  "Miss, the Fourth Prince has sent someone with a gift." Xue Yan's voice sounded from outside the house.

  "Alright, take it away." Daiyu said somewhat impatiently, what's the point of this Yunzhen, always sending things to herself every day.

  "But, miss, this..." Xue Yan's tone was somewhat embarrassed, followed by "Woof woof woof..."

  Dog? He sent his own dog? Daiyu was taken aback, then suddenly remembered the last time she said she wanted to raise animals, she just casually mentioned it, didn't think this man still remembered, he... Daiyu shook her head and smiled bitterly.

  Daiyu had unconsciously walked to the door and pushed it open. "Miss," Snow Goose said, holding a snow-white puppy in her arms.

  "Samoyed?" Daiyu exclaimed subconsciously, which made Xueyan stunned for a moment.

  "What's that, Desert Grandpa? But I've never seen this dog before, it's so well-behaved." Xueyan stroked the little dog's head.

  "Give it to me." Daiyu stretched out her hand and took the puppy, which licked her fingers and snuggled into her arms. "Xueyan, bring some milk," said Daiyu as she carried the puppy into the house.

  "Oh." Xueyan looked at her empty arms, stunned for a moment, then went to get the milk. The gift that Sibelle sent seemed to be liked by all the ladies, Sibelle really understood the feelings of the ladies, but what about the lady herself? She couldn't understand it. Xueyan shook her head and headed to the kitchen, where she bumped into Nala Minghui.

  "What's going on?" Nala Minghui asked with a smile, she sensitively felt that she had been pushed to the outermost side, and everything was known last, completely not the first lady.

  "Miss asked me to fetch milk." Xueyan resolutely didn't mention the gift from Minghui, although she was also one of Kangxi's people, but since she had always been with Daiyu, her heart inevitably leaned towards Daiyu, and she disliked that privately-minded Minghui.

  Ming Hui nodded slightly, and Xue Yan walked past her. Ming Hui looked in the direction of Dai Yu's room, sighed, and walked over.