Dream of the Red Chamber: I can upgrade my entries!

Chapter 14 The shrewd and resourceful Wang Xifeng, the first meeting of Bao and Dai!

"Grandma, they're here!"

Just then, Yuanyang came in to announce their arrival, and three wet nurses and five or six maids escorted the three girls into Rongqing Hall.

The first was slightly plump, with fair skin and a beautiful face. Her cheeks were like fresh lychees, her nose like goose fat, and her demeanor was gentle, giving people a sense of closeness. The second had an oval face, bright eyes and delicate eyebrows, a lively and spirited look, slender shoulders and a narrow waist, and a tall and graceful figure. She looked to be about the same age as Lin Daiyu. The last one was not yet fully grown, looking like a three or four-year-old, with delicate features and an adorable appearance.

The three women were identical in their makeup, attire, and even their hairpins, skirts, and jackets; they looked like sisters cut from the same mold.

"Ancestor, we pay our respects to you."

The older girl was the first to step forward, bow, and greet them.

"Greetings, Ancestors."

The other two women followed suit.

"This is your sister Yingchun."

"This is your younger sister, Tan Chun."

"This is your younger sister, Xichun!"

The kind and gentle Grandmother Jia introduced the three sisters to Lin Daiyu one by one. Lin Daiyu hurriedly got up to greet the three sisters. The girls were very curious about each other when they met for the first time, and they secretly observed each other, which was quite harmonious.

"I'm late, I haven't been able to welcome my guests from afar, hehe."

Suddenly, a carefree female voice came from outside, causing the women in the hall to cover their mouths and chuckle, as if they all guessed who had come.

Lin Daiyu was puzzled. Everyone in the hall was holding their breath, respectful and solemn. Who was this person who was so unrestrained and rude?

“Grandpa, where are the guests? Hehe.”

A group of maids and wives surrounded a charming woman dressed in gorgeous clothes, who appeared in Lin Daiyu's sight. She was dressed in colorful embroidered clothes, with a gold-threaded eight-treasure pearl hairpin, a five-phoenix hairpin with pearls hanging from the sun, a red-gold dragon necklace, a pea-green palace sash, and a five-colored carved silk stone-blue silver-fox coat, showing her wealth and ostentation. She had a pair of phoenix eyes, willow-leaf eyebrows, and a slender and charming figure.

'? ? ? '

Lin Daiyu was somewhat bewildered. She wanted to greet him, but didn't know how to address him, and hesitated.

"You don't know her? She's a notorious scoundrel and a good-for-nothing around here."

"Hahahaha!"

Grandmother Jia's words instantly caused the entire Rongqing Hall to burst into laughter, relieving the previous dull atmosphere.

"In the southern provinces, it's commonly called 'lazi' (辣子), so you can just call it 'Feng Lazi' (凤辣子)."

"Hahaha!"

The hall was filled with the sounds of laughter and chatter from the women inside. The newcomer didn't seem to mind at all, and said coquettishly, "Grandmother."

"This is Sister Lian."

The three sisters introduced Wang Xifeng in unison, and Lin Daiyu suddenly realized that she was the wife of Jia Lian, the eldest son of her maternal uncle. She had heard her mother, Jia Min, say that Jia Lian had married the niece of her second maternal aunt, Lady Wang, who had been raised as a boy since childhood and whose formal name was Wang Xifeng.

"Greetings, sister-in-law."

Lin Daiyu was about to bow when, unfortunately, she was helped up by Wang Xifeng halfway through her journey. Holding Lin Daiyu's small hand, Wang Xifeng exclaimed, "Sister, I have never seen such a remarkable person in the world before."

"Moreover, her overall demeanor is unlike that of the old ancestor's granddaughter; she is actually a direct descendant. No wonder the old ancestor thinks about her every day and never forgets her."

"Giggle!"

These words elicited chuckles from the women present. Lin Daiyu then truly appreciated Wang Xifeng's shrewdness and tact, finding no fault with her at all.

"It's just a pity that my younger sister has such a hard life; how could her aunt have passed away first?"

Wang Xifeng seemed to recall Jia Min and sighed.

"I'm fine now, and you're provoking me. Your sister has just come from a long way and is in poor health. I just managed to persuade her to stay. Please don't bring this up again."

Grandmother Jia, sitting on the couch, gave Wang Xifeng an unpleasant look, her tone carrying a warning.

“That’s right.” Wang Xifeng dared not probe any further and changed the subject: “As soon as I saw my sister, my heart was completely focused on her. I was both happy and heartbroken, and I even forgot about the old matriarch. She deserves a beating, she deserves a beating.”

As she spoke, she made a face-slapping gesture, which amused Grandmother Jia. Others simply thought that Wang Xifeng was always so unreliable.

"How old is your younger sister? Has she been to school? What medicine is she taking now?"

"Here, don't miss home. If you want anything to eat or play, just tell me."

"If anything happens to the maids or servants, just tell me."

Wang Xifeng's seemingly joking words actually made Lin Daiyu's heart tighten, as they undoubtedly revealed the extraordinary power and influence of the person in front of her in the inner courtyard of the Jia family.

"Ancestor."

Then, Wang Xifeng looked at Grandmother Jia and apologized, saying, "Father-in-law has not been well these past few days. Seeing you, my sister, would only make him sad. So I cannot bear to see you for the time being."

"Fine, let him go."

Grandmother Jia waved her hand, not particularly surprised.

"Your uncle has gone to fast today, goodbye."

Lady Wang picked up the conversation and went straight to asking Lin Daiyu.

"it is good."

Lin Daiyu had no choice but to reply in agreement.

At this moment, Madam Wang added, "Your three sisters are all very good. From now on, you can study together, learn to read and write, learn needlework, and even play around together. However, I have one troublesome child, the devil in the family. He went to the temple to fulfill a vow today and has not yet returned."

"I reckon he'll be back soon. Just don't pay any attention to him anymore. None of these sisters dare to mess with him."

'.'

Suddenly, the atmosphere in Rongqing Hall froze. Grandmother Jia scrutinized Lady Wang, seemingly lost in thought.

Lin Daiyu learned from her mother, Jia Min, that her second aunt had two sons. The younger son was born with a jade in his mouth and was extremely unruly. He hated studying and loved to hang out in the inner chambers. Her maternal grandmother doted on him, and no one dared to discipline him. Hearing Lady Wang say this today, she felt a little uneasy. Since she had come, she would naturally play with her sisters. Jia Baoyu was in a separate courtyard and room, so why would she take the initiative to get involved?
"Master Bao is back."

The voice of a maid came from outside the hall, drawing everyone's attention once again.

"Is that Baoyu back?"

"Baoyu is back. Where is he? Let's go see him."

Sanchun got up and walked towards the curtain, only to see a fiery red figure rush in.

"Brother Bao, you're back."

"Second Master Bao."

The maids, servants, and old women surrounded him. He wore a purple-gold crown inlaid with jewels, a gold headband with two dragons chasing a pearl, and a bright red arrow-sleeved robe with two colors of gold butterflies and flowers. He wore a long tasseled sash with colorful silk flowers and knots, and an outer robe of dark blue Japanese satin with eight floral medallions and tassels. He wore light blue satin boots with pink soles.

Her face was like the moon on Mid-Autumn Festival, her complexion like the flowers of spring dawn, her sideburns as if cut by a knife, her eyebrows as if painted with ink, her face like peach petals, and her eyes like autumn waves. Even when angry, she seemed to be smiling; even when glaring, she appeared affectionate. Around her neck was a golden dragon necklace, and a five-colored silk ribbon tied to a beautiful jade.

"Grand Ancestor, I've come to pay my respects."

As soon as Jia Baoyu entered, he hurriedly went to Grandmother Jia and bowed.

'This person seems familiar, yet why does he look so familiar?'

Lin Daiyu glanced at it and was greatly surprised.

“Go see your mother.”

Grandmother Jia's face showed a look of doting affection as she spoke gently.

Jia Baoyu then went to find Lady Wang, but when he rushed over, he was drawn to Lin Daiyu.

(End of this chapter)