Chapter 17 The Centipede's Death (Below) Red Chamber Night Talk Green Bean

  Lady Jia was a lively and astute person, how could she not detect Tang Xiang's speech impediment? She simply didn't want to reveal it. She asked: "Did my poor granddaughter bring any letters?"

  "When I left, the young lady was heartbroken and stayed by the old master's spirit every day, unable to pick up her pen. She only instructed the little one to pay respects to our ancestors before she left." Tang Xin lied without even drafting a plan, how could he have seen the face of the young lady in the inner chamber!

  Lady Jia sighed again: "It's still my Jade who remembers me." She looked at Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang, "Don't blame me for doting on Jade too much, even at this time she can still think of me, who else could it be?" Mrs. Xing and Mrs. Wang hastily nodded in agreement.

  Baoyu, who was standing aside, had been anxious to jump up for a long time. At this moment, he couldn't care about the occasion or his mother's face anymore, and loudly asked: "I'd like to ask you, when is Lin Daiyu going back home?"

  Tang Xin replied: "This must be Treasure Number Two, right? Lin Niang returned to Suzhou and naturally went home. Now that we've calculated the days, the two masters are probably already in Gusu."

  Baoyu argued: "The Lin family has long since been gone, and Lin Daiyu should come back. This Rongguo House is her home. What right do you have to not let Lin Daiyu return?"

  "Baoyu!" Madam Wang and others scolded loudly.

  Tang Xin was furious in his heart. He had heard the young master say before that Jia Baoyu, the second son of the Rongguo House, was a bit foolish and unlearned. Not to mention that he didn't study or learn anything, but also said things like "Daughters are made of water and blood, while men are made of mud and blood. When I see daughters, I feel refreshed, but when I see sons, I feel gloomy and suffocated." It was really ridiculous. However, Tang Xin couldn't say anything at this time, so he pretended not to have heard it.

  Madam Jia saw that Tang Xing was a clever person, so she deliberately changed the subject: "Take me to thank your young master for taking care of our Yu'er. However, I still hope that Yu'er can come to my side. My grandson told me that your young master is also alone, with no one to support him. After all, my Yu'er is still young and should have someone to guide her. Let me worry about these things!"

  When Tang Xing arrived, he had already discussed with the young master how to deal with the people of Jia's house. He said: "Don't worry about these things, our young master has already invited a palace maid to teach Miss Lin etiquette. Now, Princess Qi also agreed to guide Miss Lin in feminine virtues." As soon as Tang Xing mentioned Princess Qi, Grandma Jia and others were stunned. They didn't understand this Lin Zhiyuan at all, it could be said that they had never heard of him before, now he can even invite out Princess Qi, what kind of background is this?

  Wang Xifeng was someone who knew how to read people's faces. After hearing what Steward Tang had said, she immediately turned around and began flattering Lady Jia: "Oh dear, oh dear, our esteemed ancestor, did you hear that? Our Lin girl is a lucky one, able to receive the favor of the Seventh Princess - isn't this an extraordinary blessing?"

  After listening, Lady Jia thought for a moment and came up with an idea. She had also seen the Seventh Princess who was married to Gusu, although she didn't gain favor, but after all, she was of royal blood. Moreover, she was married to the Duke of Dongping, who was highly favored by the late emperor. It was said that they had a son of suitable age, and Lady Jia couldn't help but look back at the figure in the green gauze window. In her eyes, all the girls in the family were equally good, and the most pleasing one, Yuan Chun, had already entered the palace to serve the emperor. If the remaining three could become the wife of the young master, it would be a wonderful thing! Thinking of this, Lady Jia found the gift list in her hand even more pleasing to the eye.

  Although Tang Xinyin didn't quite believe the words of the people in the Jia household, she still said: "When I came, my young master also said that the old lady and the ladies must be thinking of our family's daughter. Everyone can rest assured and wait for some time. When my young master comes to the capital next year, he will personally bring Lin'niang to pay his respects."

  "Oh, your family's young master is also planning to come to the capital?" Mrs. Wang had not spoken up until now, but as soon as she heard that Lin Daiyu and that Lin family young master were coming, she hastily spoke out. How could it be otherwise! It was just easy to send away that little demon, how could he be coming back at this time?

  Unlike Wang's wife, Baoyu was overjoyed when he heard that Lin Daiyu was going to the capital and rushed into Grandmother Jia's arms, who also felt delighted upon hearing the news.

  "As soon as he thought of his own young master, a proud spirit emerged: 'Isn't that right? The young master is coming to Beijing to take part in the imperial examination next year, and before he left, he instructed me to come and pay respects to the old lady and madam.'"

  Tang Xing himself was quite happy, but his words made the people of Jia's mansion feel uncomfortable.

  Jia Baoyu is already fourteen years old, at that time, he should have started to share the burden of family life. If he were a child of a farming family, he would be an important labor force; if he were a young scholar, he should have had some achievements in his studies, at least being a Xiucai. Unfortunately, Jia Baoyu has none of these, and is only idling away with his sisters in the mansion. Grandmother Jia pities her grandson and does not want him to participate in the Imperial Examination at such a young age and suffer that ordeal.

  Mrs. Wang also didn't feel too good after hearing this, it was obviously intentional to belittle their precious Bao Yu!

  Wang's heart was not pleased, and she thought of calling Tang Guanjia out to embarrass her. She didn't think that Lin Shiyin, at the age of 17 or 18, could come to Beijing to participate in the imperial examination. Most likely, he was a good-for-nothing who just wanted to borrow the reputation of the Jia Mansion to make a name for himself in Beijing and deceive people with an excuse.

  People like Lin's young master, Wang thought she had seen many when she was a girl, and asked with a seemingly careless tone: "Tang's words have confused us. The autumn examination has not started yet, and it will be in August or September. Can your family's young master really participate in the spring examination with such confidence?" After that, several ladies present also smiled and covered their mouths.

  Lady Wang also had a face of persuasion: "Just tell your young master to bring the girl to Beijing immediately, isn't that child thinking of studying? Our Jia family's ancestral school has good teachers, it must be better than him studying in Suzhou. Moreover, our Baoyu is an extremely good child, he studies well, and when the time comes, he will help your young master, isn't that a beautiful thing? My second son likes such studious scholars the most, once they arrive in Beijing, they can live with us, all expenses for food, clothing, and daily necessities don't need to be paid by you, just bring my Yu'er here."

  Tang Xin saw this group of old women daring to mock their young master, and was so angry that he wanted to go up and punch them a few times. But thinking of the young master's instructions on the way here, he put on a smile again. It can be said that Tang Xin is also a talent, and now he shows off his flattering attitude towards the Jia family, smiling at Mrs. Jia and saying: "Our young master and daughter are fortunate to have your recognition, of course, it's good. I will report your kindness to our masters when I return to Suzhou." Tang Xin deliberately paused, putting on a difficult expression, "But as for the matter of our young master going to the Imperial Academy to study, it may not be possible."

  Lady Jia saw her good intentions being rejected by a servant, and her face involuntarily revealed a cold expression.

  Wang Xifeng saw that the old lady was not happy, and she didn't think it was shameful that a servant from the Lin family was an insolent good-for-nothing. "I'm telling you, you ungrateful slave, our ancestors elevated your master, how dare you, a mere servant, be so presumptuous?"

  Wang Xifeng smiled and flattered Old Lady Jia: "Don't bother with this kind of person, Ancestor. Just for the sake of our Lin girl's face, let him off."

  "It's all small and unclear, provoking the ancestors, it's the younger generation that should die." Tang Xin hastily knelt down on the ground, begging for forgiveness from Grandmother Jia.

  "Alright, alright. I'm just being kind for nothing, and it's all because of my poor granddaughter. You get up too, after all, you're not a servant in our house. Kneeling like this doesn't look good either. If your young master finds out, he'll blame my Jade!"

  Tang Xin thought to himself that he had seen many plays in the wealthy and noble towns of Jiangnan, but never one as shameless as this family. He thought that he was still too young, no wonder his father always said that he needed to temper himself. He bowed his head and said to Grandmother Jia: "I'm not eloquent, I couldn't make it clear, please don't blame me, old lady, madams. Our young master has heard of the great name of the Jia family's ancestral school in Jiangnan, which produces many successful candidates every year."

  Originally, Old Lady Jia and the others just wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to show off a bit and kill the prestige of that young master Lin. They also wanted to indirectly display Baoyu's talent. However, they didn't expect this Tang butler to say that their family's ancestral school was famous throughout Jiangnan, causing all these old faces to blush uncontrollably. And what's more, every year they produce a scholar-official! In the whole clan school, only Jia Dairu, the teacher, had any achievements, while the rest were not even scholars. Isn't this butler from Lin's house ridiculing them, a group of women?

  It seemed that Tang Xing had not seen the distress of the Jia family's women, and he continued to say: "Our young master took first place in the imperial examination three years ago and was the top scholar of Suzhou. However, because he needed to observe mourning for my family's mistress, he was unable to participate in the spring examination the following year. The young master is exceptionally talented, and his teacher also has high hopes for him. I said that it might not be possible to go to your esteemed school because the young master's teacher, Shen Xiansheng, is too famous. If he were to enter another family's school and bow to another teacher, it would be a breach of etiquette towards Shen Xiansheng. Please forgive me, elderly lady, ladies."

  Today, Tang Xin's words were like bombs falling on the hearts of the people in Jia Mansion, truly stimulating. First, he asked Seventh Princess to teach Lin Niang, making them surprised by this young master Lin's extensive connections. Now, he says that he is the champion scholar of Suzhou, even Lady Jia can't help but lean forward slightly at this moment, staring at Tang Xin and asking: "Who did your young master study under?"

  "It is precisely Nishan Academy's mountain longevity, Shen Ao's wind and Shen University scholar"

  Xiangyun was in the room collecting Baoyu's clothes when she saw Baoyu rush in, fling himself onto the bed and lie down, giving Xiangyun a fright. She had no idea what had happened.

  "What's wrong? Who has been bullying you? It's made our Second Master so furious!" Xiangyun pushed Bao Yu, but he didn't even acknowledge her. Xiangyun wasn't angry and saw Qingwen and Meiyue following behind into the house, then asked these two: "Didn't you follow Second Master to Old Madame's place? How did you end up coming back like this?"

  Qingwen and Shaoren didn't get along, and they didn't respond to each other. Instead, Xiangyue followed Shaoren around, busy with this and that, treating Shaoren like a second mistress. She nodded her head and pointed at Baoyu: "It's still our family's Second Master, who annoyed Lin Daiyu. He came back and sulked."

  Qingwen suddenly remembered that just now in the courtyard, someone was making a fuss about the arrival of the Lin family. She hadn't paid attention to it at the time, but could it be that Miss Lin had returned? As soon as she thought of this, Qingwen felt a surge of bitter feelings in her heart.

  Baoyu, who had been lying in bed ignoring everyone, as soon as he heard Xiangyun's words, turned over and got up, scolding with a sob: "Never mention that Lin family young master again, what kind of young master is he? He's just a bandit! Not letting Lin Daiyu return to our house is really hateful, really hateful!"

  Qingwen heard that Lin Daiyu would not be coming back, and her mood immediately improved. She also had the mind to comfort Baoyu: "Second Master, what are you doing? After all, she's a relative. If you act like this, and the servants from the Lin family go back to Suzhou and tell their masters about Lin Daiyu's situation, won't it make things even harder for her? It's not as good as being carefree in our house."

  "Yes, yes, yes! How could I be so muddled? That Lin Shao Ye is a ruthless and cunning man, who knows how he'll treat Lin Mei Mei? I must hurry to find Grandmother and bring Lin Mei Mei back. She can't stay in that desolate place." Having said this, Bao Yu ran out like the wind. Ai Ru was so angry she gritted her teeth, blaming herself for speaking too much and causing their second master to stir up more trouble again.

  PS: A new chapter~~ Haha, these two chapters are all about the Jia family's affairs, don't worry everyone, our Daiyu will be on stage soon! Still the same old words, hoping everyone to vote enthusiastically! Collect "me"! Click "me"!!!!!