Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

On the day of the full moon, before dawn, the Lin family had already opened the main gate to welcome guests. The mansion was decorated anew, with lights and decorations everywhere, creating a festive atmosphere. The servants had also changed into new clothes and were busy working with high spirits.

Lin Ruhai, dressed in finery and smiling, stood at the door with his butler, Lin Zhong, personally welcoming every guest who arrived. Although the guests at this banquet were all family friends and relatives, the Lin family still attached great importance to it and strived to achieve perfection.

In the inner courtyard, Mrs. Wang Zisheng came to Xifeng's Wutong Courtyard early in the morning to share the joy with her.

The Lin family had no close relatives in the capital, so Old Madam Lin personally received the imperial consorts and relatives who came to congratulate them.

Today's protagonist, Lin Jingchen, was dressed in a vibrant new outfit of bright red and yellow. His hands and feet were adorned with delicate gold bracelets, and he wore a lovely tiger-head hat, giving him a particularly festive look. Freshly fed and rested, the little fellow stared with his round, black eyes, curiously surveying his surroundings.

When the wet nurse held him in front of everyone, he immediately caused a sensation. A group of women gathered around and praised the adorable little baby endlessly. Everyone laughed heartily at his adorable appearance, their love for him overflowing with words.

The little guy was not shy and let everyone tease him without crying or making a fuss. He even giggled from time to time, which made everyone present like him even more.

After the nurse carried him around for a while, she received countless precious gifts. The maids following behind her could hardly carry them all, so they had to find a few more servants to help.

After Xifeng finished her confinement, she took her three children back to the Wang family to spend the full month. That day, Xifeng and her daughter were chatting about gossip in the capital, while Wang Zisheng was reading the Analects to Jingyu and Jiaojiao. The family was in a happy mood. Just then, the housekeeper entered and said to Wang Zisheng's wife, "Madam, the young lady's aunt from the Xue family in Jinling has brought a pair of children to the capital!" Wang Zisheng's wife exclaimed in surprise, "They didn't write to say they were coming back!" The housekeeper continued, "They got off the ship at the port and went straight to the Jia family's carriage."

Mrs. Wang Zisheng frowned, then pondered for a moment before saying, "It seems the Xue family's son-in-law has passed away, and the family has moved to the capital. I wonder why they didn't come to my mother's house first, but went to my sister's in-laws' house instead." Xifeng's heart skipped a beat when she heard this, remembering the invitation sent by the Jia family a few days ago. Could this be related? She looked at Mrs. Wang Zisheng and said with a smile, "Mother, the Jia family is currently enjoying the emperor's favor. Perhaps the Xue family is trying to take advantage of this opportunity to curry favor with the emperor."

Mrs. Wang Zisheng nodded, agreeing with Xifeng's opinion. She sighed and said, "Although the Xue family is wealthy, they don't have any official positions. A marriage with the Jia family wouldn't be a bad idea." Xifeng smiled but said nothing, reflecting on the complex interplay of interests involved.

At this time, Wang Zisheng's wife asked again, "Then how should we respond?" Wang Zisheng thought for a moment and said, "Let's wait and see what happens. Since the Xue family has come to the capital, they will surely come to visit. We'll see what their attitude is then." Xifeng agreed, "Father is right. We should wait and see what happens."

After a few days, the Xue family really posted a message saying that the sister-in-law had not seen her brother for many years and missed him very much and wanted to come and visit.

The next day, the Xue family arrived at the Wang family's house. Mrs. Wang Zisheng, along with Xifeng and the others, warmly welcomed Aunt Xue.

Xifeng looked at Xue Baochai, dressed in a yellow floral-printed, cross-collared jacket and a cream-colored skirt. Her hair was styled in a simple bun, accessorized only by a gold hairpin and a few pearl flowers, and a pair of jade ginkgo leaf earrings. She truly was: "Her lips were red without makeup, her eyebrows were emerald without painting; her face was like a silver basin, her eyes like watery apricots."

Her outfit was really simple, but it actually highlighted the shiny golden locket hanging around her neck.

After exchanging pleasantries, they began chatting about family matters. During this conversation, Aunt Xue mentioned the Jia family and hinted that Xue Baochai might be able to enter the palace. This stirred Xifeng's interest. She knew the status of the Jia family and knew that if Xue Baochai wanted to enter the palace, she would have to participate in the minor selection. Women who entered the palace through the minor selection had to start as maids.