Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

This time, Baoyu's old illness had not yet healed, and he had developed a new one, making it extremely difficult for him to recuperate.

In addition, Xiren, the most familiar and caring maid, had suddenly disappeared, and there were a lot of new faces in the room. Sheyue was so busy that she was often not seen. The timid Baoyu became more and more frightened. Every day when he had free time, he would pull the maids he knew, big and small, to ask:

"Did the master order you to do this? What does the madam want to do to you? The old lady would never do this to me. Tell me the truth, who wants to harm me? Is it those people from Lai Wang's family?"

The maids were all at a loss for words and could only patiently comfort him. Among them, Huixiang was more attentive than the others and often sent him farewell messages:

"The madam is also ill. Lai Wang's family brings Caiyun Xia, Jinchuan'er and Yuchuan'er to serve her every day. She has no time to plot against us!"

"The old lady found out that Zhuier, who used the paper figurines to perform the nightmare spell for the Zhao family, had a grudge against the two sisters and was close to the other two little girls, so she drove them all out, fearing that they would cause trouble for the second master in the future."

"Miss Shi is here. She heard that Sister Xiren was moved out because of illness, so she asked the old lady to take Xiren to the Shi family's farm to recuperate. She also said that she would let her come in to serve the Second Master after she recovered from her illness!"

"Ms. Lin's courtyard is still the same as before, no one goes in or out. The family is sending a letter to the palace, asking what to do about the funeral of Miss Lin. I heard that the queen has not replied yet, and the second wife guessed that she might have to ask for an imperial decree this time."

"When the master first learned about our courtyard, he didn't get angry. He just said that the old lady did a great job. Now he has sent a message to let the second master take good care of his illness. When he recovers, he will arrange a marriage for the second master and Miss Lin."

When Baoyu heard that his father had no intention of pursuing him and was going to marry him to Sister Lin, his illness was almost cured immediately!

That night, Baoyu told Sheyue to change Huixiang's name to Si'er, and said with a smile: "She is the fourth child in the family and is also very pretty. If she is promoted to do delicate work, she might be too prominent. So change her name. Isn't it often said that a coarse name is easier to keep her in good stead?"

Sheyue understood and called Si'er over to take a look. She found that this girl was a bit like Qingwen, so she smiled and nodded, saying, "Then, follow me from tomorrow on."

Another half month later, Si'er's monthly salary was raised to that of a first-class maid, on par with Sheyue. Another half month later, Liu Wu'er, the daughter of Liu Saozi, the cook in Lixiang Courtyard, entered Yihong Courtyard as a maid. This is a later story.

Jia Zheng was indifferent to the turmoil in the backyard. He only knew that after this commotion, Baoyu's backyard was cleaned up a lot, and his short-sighted wife was also suppressed by her mother and temporarily did not dare to make trouble.

That's it!

If he could safely get through Lin Daiyu's mourning period and complete her marriage to Baoyu, his family's treasury would be filled with money for another twenty years!

As long as he doesn't have to worry about these mundane affairs, he can turn a blind eye to any means.

However, just as he was enjoying the birth of his child at home and was beginning to pick and choose a maid for Baoyu before his marriage, someone came to report: "The palace supervisor has arrived in disguise."

Jia Zheng was startled and hurried out to greet him.

After being busy for more than half a month, Tao Xingjian finally showed up. He looked thinner, but he was smiling and in a very good mood. He bowed as soon as he entered the door and said, "Doctor Jia!"

Doctor! ?

Aren’t I a Yuanwailang?

Is it going to be promoted? !

Jia Zheng's heart was filled with a mixture of greed and surprise, but he pretended to be humble on his face: "Your Excellency, I made a mistake. I am a Yuanwailang, not a Langzhong! Your Excellency, please!"

"Oh? Really? I remembered it wrong!" Tao Xingjian was surprised, then laughed out loud, and affectionately grasped Jia Zheng's wrist through his sleeve. He walked quickly to the hall, sat down as host and guest, and before the servants had finished serving tea, he could not wait to say with a smile:

"Now that Concubine Jia is favored by the emperor and Miss Lin is favored by the emperor, I'm afraid that Mr. Jia won't be able to stay in this position for long! We are just congratulating you in advance on your promotion!"

"I dare not, I dare not!" Jia Zheng said he dare not, but his heart was suddenly turned upside down, and he was annoyed: Even if it was the legacy of Mr. Rong, why did he specifically mention the two girls in the family? ! Isn't this clearly pointing at his nose and scolding him for being useless and only relying on women to get to the top?

Tao Xingjian had seen countless people, and he saw through Jia Zheng's thoughts at a glance. He sneered in his heart, but spoke even more vigorously: "The Emperor finally finished his work yesterday, and immediately went to pay his respects to the Grand His Majesty and the Queen Mother. Guess what?

"The Emperor personally asked about this, saying that the Emperor is now over thirty years old and in good health, so why are there so few children in the harem? He also specifically asked the concubines whether they had any children!

"You see, there are four concubines now, namely, Imperial Concubine, Virtuous Concubine, Hui Concubine and Li Concubine, but only Imperial Concubine and Li Concubine have children.

"It goes without saying that Concubine Hui had suffered from physical injuries in her early years. She herself did not know it, but the Emperor knew that Concubine Hui could not have children.

"Who else is left? Isn't it just the Virtuous Consort?

"The Emperor received the order from the Retired Emperor. He didn't even go to see the Empress last night. He went straight to Fengzao Palace and stayed there overnight. He even skipped the morning court this morning!"

Tao Xingjian was talking excitedly, looking at Jia Zheng and laughing, "When the Concubine Jia makes another step forward, Lord Jia, don't forget that I want to ask for a glass of wine!"

Jia Zheng was overwhelmed by the news and was overjoyed. He stood up and bowed to Tao Xingjian, saying, "Thank you, Mr. Tao, for telling me!"

"Don't thank me!" Tao Xingjian pulled him roughly without any courtesy, and then said with a smile, "Although I am wearing plain clothes, I am here to talk about serious matters."

Jia Zheng was startled, and just as his buttocks were about to touch the chair, he quickly jumped up, bowed, crossed his hands, and said respectfully, "May I ask who gave this instruction?"

"It's not an oral instruction, is it?" Tao Xingjian paused deliberately, and when he saw Jia Zheng's face was a little pale, he waved his hand randomly, "Sit down, sit down. I have a long talk, so please sit down and listen!"

Jia Zheng had no choice but to smile along, carefully sat down on a chair, and listened attentively to what Tao Xingjian said.

"The Queen Mother had seven daughters, but only three survived. Among these three, the oldest one bullied Your Majesty the most when she was young, but she was the most favored by the Queen Mother. That is Princess Tongyi.

"This eldest princess has a beloved little daughter who has been in and out of the palace since she was young. She is well-educated, well-mannered, and very cute. She is also the most popular in front of the Queen Mother.

"She turned fifteen the day before yesterday, and at her coming-of-age ceremony, the Empress Dowager gave her her own hairpin. Even so, she was afraid that people would look down on her, so she begged the Emperor to personally confer the title of Princess Xiaochang on her."

When Tao Xingjian said this, he looked at Jia Zheng with a smile.

Jia Zheng felt a chill on his back. He forced a smile and looked at Tao Xingjian inquiringly.

"Yesterday, in front of the Majesty and the Empress Dowager, Princess Xiaochang said that she had seen your son Jia Baoyu once outside a few years ago and liked him very much.

"The Queen Mother ordered us to tell Mr. Jia that the groom for Princess Xiaochang has been decided to be Mr. Jia. After the New Year, you can go to the Princess's mansion to propose marriage!"