Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

While everyone was talking, someone came from the kitchen to report that the table was ready and they were just waiting for the guests to take their seats.

Grandmother Jia stood up first and led the Lin family mother and daughter to their seats.

Because there were few people today and they were all family members, Grandmother Jia ordered that there was no need to be discreet and that everyone dine in one hall, which would appear more solemn.

So, everyone in the Jia family and the four members of the Lin family sat at four large tables and enjoyed their lunch calmly.

The four Lin family members were distinguished guests, so Xifeng and Jiaojiao were naturally seated to Lady Jia's left, while Lin Ruhai and Jingyu sat to Jia She's left. During the banquet, Jia Baoyu sought opportunities to approach Jiaojiao, frequently engaging in conversation while toasting Xifeng. Seeing Jia Baoyu's behavior, Jiaojiao couldn't help but recall her mother's stories about the "Phoenix Man," and she felt a surge of disgust. She responded to Jia Baoyu's advances with neither servility nor courtesy, responding appropriately.

Jia Baoyu stared at Jiaojiao, lost in thought again, and muttered to himself, "I've seen this sister before." Jiaojiao rolled her eyes slightly, unnoticed, and said, "Perhaps there are some similarities between me and you!" Jia Baoyu continued to talk to himself, "I see your brows are furrowed, so you must be worried about something. Why don't you tell me? Perhaps I can help you relieve your worries."

Jiaojiao frowned slightly, feeling a little unhappy. Why was this person so difficult to deal with? But out of politeness, she smiled and replied, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. It's just a small matter, not worth mentioning."

At this time, Jia Mu smiled and interrupted: "My grandson just likes to care about people, especially his beautiful sister."

Baoyu became even more proud after hearing what Grandmother Jia said. He said to Jiaojiao, "Sister, you are so beautiful! It's really touching. I wonder if you have a name?"

Jiaojiao was speechless. This man was really endless. She raised her head, looked directly at Baoyu, and said slowly, "Sir, please don't tease me. I'm still young. My father said he would marry me in two years."

Baoyu persisted and pressed on, "Do you have a favorite character? Or what are your standards?"

Jiaojiao finally couldn't help it and said in a cold voice: "I said, I don't want to talk about this topic, please respect yourself, sir." After that, she turned her head away and ignored Baoyu.

Upon seeing this, Grandmother Jia hurried to smooth things over and said, "Okay, okay, Baoyu, don't make Miss Lin feel embarrassed, just eat your food." Baoyu then closed his mouth unwillingly, but his eyes still glanced at Jiaojiao from time to time.

Lin Daiyu was very angry when she saw Jia Baoyu being so attentive to other girls. She covered her mouth with her handkerchief and whispered, "Sister, you are so rude! Brother Bao is talking to you, why are you acting like you are ignoring him? You really are worthy of being the son of a second wife."

After hearing Lin Daiyu's words, Jiaojiao sneered inwardly, but an innocent expression appeared on her face. She replied in a delicate voice, "Sister, what are you talking about? I'm just following the strict rules for men and women, and I didn't mean to snub the young master of the Jia family. Besides, why are you so aggressive? How can I be born to a concubine? My mother is the original wife, the legitimate wife of the emperor, and I am also a distinguished lady from the original wife. How can I be slandered so casually?"

Lin Daiyu's face darkened after hearing Jiaojiao's words. She bit her lip, trying to suppress her anger. Jiaojiao, looking at her carefully, continued, "Sister, you are naturally a lady from a noble family. You are well-versed in biographies of women and know the Three Obediences and Four Virtues. You understand that men and women should maintain a distance. You dare not say a word to men outside your family, for fear of damaging the reputation of the women of the Lin family. I just wonder if you really do these things?"

Lin Daiyu's face flushed red, then darkened. Her eyes widened, and she was so angry she couldn't speak. Jia Baoyu, however, didn't hear the sarcasm in Jiaojiao's words, nor did he notice his sister Lin's embarrassment. Instead, he came over excitedly and chirped, "Sister, you like reading. I wonder if you've read 'Li Sao'? It's a great book!" Then, shaking his head, he recited, "The women are jealous of my beautiful eyebrows and spread rumors that I am a promiscuous woman."

Lin Daiyu glared at Jia Baoyu fiercely, her eyes full of anger and dissatisfaction, as if she wanted to eat him alive. She turned away, no longer looking at him, but looking at Lin Ruhai, with a trace of grievance and helplessness on her face. Seeing this scene, Jiaojiao's mouth curled up slightly.

Lin Ruhai coughed softly, his eyes doting as he addressed Jiaojiao, "Jiaojiao, please don't be rude." His voice was soft, yet filled with authority. He then turned, smiled softly at the crowd, and said humbly, "Excuse me, everyone. I've been pampered by you since you were little. Please forgive me if I've offended you." He then turned expressionlessly to Lin Daiyu, "Your sister has been taught etiquette by the palace maids since she was little. She's well-mannered and well-educated. If you have any questions, you can ask your sister for guidance."

Lin Daiyu's face stiffened instantly when she heard this. She forced a smile and replied, "Thank you, father, for your advice. I understand." Then, she looked at Jia Baoyu with a hint of meaning in her eyes, and said to Lin Ruhai, "Brother Bao is well-informed and has read many classics. I have long admired your talent and learning. I will surely benefit greatly from meeting you today."

Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu's interest was piqued. His eyes lit up, and he excitedly said, "That's right. I've read classic works like the Book of Songs and the Analects, and have deeply grasped the principles within them. It's truly a privilege to meet you, uncle, today." He then launched into a torrent of tales of his own, quoting famous lines from them to demonstrate his erudition. However, his recitation was mostly about romantic poetry, with little reference to true scholarship, making him seem rather superficial.

Lin Daiyu listened quietly, occasionally interjecting a few witty remarks and cleverly responding to Jia Baoyu's endless speech. As time went by, the atmosphere between the two gradually became subtle, filled with an indescribable ambiguous atmosphere.

Born into a family of historians, whose military talents were highly valued, Grandmother Jia was naturally not well-versed in literature and the arts. Listening to Jia Baoyu's eloquent and captivating speech, she felt a surge of pride and delight, convinced that her grandson possessed profound knowledge. She smiled from ear to ear, her face brimming with pride. The more Grandmother Jia listened, the happier she became. She held Jia Baoyu's hand tightly, a gesture of exceptional affection. Seeing this, the others joined in, praising Jia Baoyu endlessly.

Then, Jia's mother turned to look at Lin Ruhai and asked with a smile, "Ruhai, what do you think of my grandson?" Lin Ruhai smiled and politely replied, "Baoyu is gifted, intelligent, and knowledgeable. He will surely achieve great things in the future." However, even as he spoke these words, he couldn't help but shake his head and sigh inwardly. He knew that although Jia Baoyu had read many books, most of them were for entertainment. He had no interest in practical knowledge that could save the world and stabilize the country.

Grandmother Jia nodded with satisfaction and continued, "Ruhai, since you think my grandson is a good one, I, an old woman, must shamelessly ask you for a favor." Lin Ruhai's heart tightened, wondering: Here she comes! What on earth does this old fox want? But he still politely asked, "What is it, old lady? Please feel free to ask." Grandmother Jia smiled and pointed at Jia Baoyu. "My grandson used to attend a private school at home, but there were too many children there, and they were all very mischievous. Not only did he not learn anything, but he actually learned a lot of bad things. Ruhai, you come from a family of scholars and are a top scholar. I wonder if you would be willing to take Baoyu as a student and teach him some knowledge?" After hearing Grandmother Jia's words, Lin Ruhai couldn't help but admire the old lady. She was truly prudent and thoughtful for her grandson. Such long-term planning might not even be considered by his father, Jia Zheng.