Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

When Lady Wang and her husband arrived at Rongxi Hall, Old Lady Jia was seated in the main seat, served breakfast by a maid. Lady Wang and Jia Zheng respectfully greeted Old Lady Jia, then stood aside with a touch of fawning, attempting to serve her mother-in-law. Seeing Lady Wang's demeanor, Old Lady Jia understood that she was trying to be subservient.

Old Lady Jia raised her eyes slightly and said calmly, "You are so thoughtful. Please take a seat." Upon hearing this, Lady Wang was delighted and hurriedly helped Jia Zheng to sit down. As soon as they were seated, Lady Wang smiled and said to Old Lady Jia, "Old Lady, I think Baoyu is getting older and older, and it's time for him to get engaged. If we delay any longer, I'm afraid all the good girls will be engaged to other families, which would be bad." Old Lady Jia gently put down her chopsticks and looked at them calmly, "Baoyu is still young, there is no need to rush this matter. From what you said, do you think you already have a suitable candidate?"

Mrs. Wang quickly replied, "Madam, I do have a good candidate. This person is your granddaughter, Daiyu! I have seen so many girls, but none are as pretty, well-educated, and well-mannered as our Miss Lin."

Jia Zheng echoed, "Mother, Daiyu is indeed a good child. She and Baoyu are of similar age. If this marriage can be facilitated, it will be a wonderful story."

Mrs. Jia was very happy to hear this, but she pretended to be embarrassed. After thinking for a while, she said, "Daiyu is indeed a rare child. I also want the two Yu'ers to get married, but Daiyu is a daughter of the Lin family after all, and her marriage still needs the final say of Lin Ruhai."

Grandmother Jia thought to herself: "This daughter-in-law and son are quite sensible. Knowing that the Lin family is rich, they want to take advantage of their daughter to get benefits. They are really a couple. Although I also think that Daiyu and Baoyu are a match made in heaven, what I want is not the Lin family's money. I want Lin Ruhai to pave the way for Baoyu to enter the officialdom. Besides, Daiyu's father Lin Ruhai is still alive. Only if the rumors about Daiyu and Baoyu spread among the aristocratic families and no one dares to marry her, will Lin Ruhai probably agree." Thinking of this, Grandmother Jia pretended to look regretful and said: "Alas~ Poor my poor granddaughter, she has to leave her hometown at such a young age to take care of me." After that, Grandmother Jia wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.

After hearing this, Mrs. Wang was secretly delighted and quickly agreed, "Yes, old lady, you are right. Niece Daiyu is indeed pitiful, but our Jia Mansion is her home!" As she spoke, she gently patted the back of Lady Jia's hand to comfort her.

Grandmother Jia nodded and continued, "But we still have to be cautious about this child's marriage and not let her down." She looked at Mrs. Wang, and a hint of deep meaning flashed in her eyes.

Mrs. Wang nodded in agreement and said that she would take good care of Daiyu. However, she was thinking about how to make Daiyu her daughter-in-law, so that she could not only get the Lin family's property, but also let Baoyu have a powerful father-in-law. She smiled secretly with satisfaction, thinking that this plan really killed two birds with one stone. So, Jia's mother pretended to be helpless and said, "Well, you have a point. Daiyu is a lovely child, and I also hope that she can become my granddaughter-in-law. But after all, she is the daughter of a third-rank official, and there are still many good sons to choose from." After she finished speaking, she pretended to be regretful and sighed. She said, "After all, Min'er is Daiyu's biological mother. Why don't you ask her opinion? Maybe she will agree!"

After hearing Lady Jia's words, Lady Wang and Jia Zheng's hearts surged with excitement. They knew that if Lin Daiyu could marry Jia Baoyu, the Jia family would gain even greater benefits and glory. Without hesitation, they decided to discuss the matter with Jia Min and do their utmost to win his approval.

On the other hand, Lin Daiyu was deeply conflicted when she heard the news. She had originally planned to marry Jia Baoyu, but after spending some time with him, she realized that Baoyu was not a husband worthy of her lifelong commitment.