Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

Xue Ke was naturally very reluctant when he heard about this. He knew his sister's temperament very well. She was the most mischievous one on weekdays. If he really let her stay in the Jia Mansion, there was no guarantee that she would not cause any trouble. Thinking of this, he quickly declined and said, "Old Lady, my sister is the most mischievous. I am afraid that it will disturb your rest. It is better to let her live with my elder sister. My elder sister is gentle by nature and will definitely take good care of her and will not cause too much trouble to the mansion." After hearing this, Jia Mu's face showed a slight displeasure. She thought to herself how could Xue Ke be so ignorant and dare to disobey her wishes. She quickly waved her hand and said, "What are you talking about, kid? Girls of this age should be lively. It's settled. Sleep with me tonight and let us mother and daughter kiss each other."

Seeing Lady Jia's resolute stance, Xue Ke felt helpless. He knew Lady Jia's temper and feared that insisting on his own opinion would only anger her and cause him unnecessary trouble. With no other choice, he could only obey Lady Jia's instructions and let his sister stay at the Jia residence. However, he was concerned about leaving his sister alone in an unfamiliar environment. After careful consideration, he finally decided to stay in the courtyard where the Xue family had previously lived. This would allow him to take care of his sister more easily while also avoiding causing trouble for Lady Jia.

Grandmother Jia then said to Mrs. Xing, "Your niece shouldn't go home. Stay in the garden for a few days and wander around before leaving."

Mrs. Xing's brother and sister-in-law's family was already in a difficult situation. When they arrived in the capital, they had originally expected Mrs. Xing to clean up their house and help with some travel expenses.

After hearing what Lady Jia said, how could I not be willing?

Mrs. Xing sent Xiuyan to Yingchun and also gave Xiuyan a portion according to Yingchun's share.

Jia Mu, Li Wan and others paid close attention to observing Xiu Yan's character and personality. Hey, she is really not like Lady Xing and her parents. She is a gentle, kind and lovable person.

So Li Wan felt sorry for her poor family and miserable life, and loved her more than her other sisters, but Mrs. Xing didn't care much about her.

Xiuyan moved into Yingchun's villa and began her life in the Jia Mansion. She had a gentle personality and got along well with everyone, and soon won everyone's love.

One day, Xiuyan was strolling in the garden when she ran into Baoyu. Intrigued by her beauty and elegance, Baoyu struck up a conversation with her. The two enjoyed a lively conversation, and Baoyu became increasingly fascinated by her.

After that, Baoyu often looked for opportunities to get close to Xiuyan, and Xiuyan was also attracted by Baoyu's talent and humor. However, they were well aware of the difference in their status and always kept a certain distance.

Just as their relationship was gradually heating up, a sudden change broke the peace...

Grandmother Jia has always admired Li Wan's virtue, and she is also admirable for being a widow at such a young age.

Now that her widowed aunt had arrived, Grandmother Jia was determined not to let her live outside.

Although Aunt Li was very reluctant, she had no choice but to stay in Daoxiang Village with Li Wen and Li Qi because Lady Jia had made up her mind.

When everything was arranged properly, unexpectedly, Baoling Hou Shi Nai was transferred to another province to take up an important position and would soon take up the post with his family.

Because Grandmother Jia couldn't bear to part with Xiangyun, she kept her and took her back to her house. She originally planned to ask Lady Wang to find another place for her to live.

However, Shi Xiangyun refused to do so and insisted on living with Daiyu, so the matter had to be dropped.

One day, the sisters were chatting and laughing together, when suddenly Xue Baoqin came out from Lady Jia's place, wearing a cloak that shone with golden light, like a phoenix rising from the nirvana.

Seeing this, Baochai hurriedly asked, "Where did you get this from?"

Baoqin smiled sweetly and replied, "Because it was snowing, the old lady found this one especially for me."

Tanchun walked forward to examine it carefully and exclaimed in amazement, "No wonder it's so beautiful! It turns out it's made of peacock feathers."

Xiangyun said disapprovingly, "They're not peacock feathers at all. They're clearly made from the feathers of wild ducks. It shows how much the old lady dotes on you. She loves Baoyu so much that she's never let him wear them."

As she was speaking, Amber came floating over like a light butterfly, and said with a smile: "The old lady told Miss Bao not to control Miss Qin too strictly.

She's still young, so just let her be. Just ask for whatever she wants, don't worry about it."

Baochai hurriedly stood up and agreed, then pushed Baoqin and said with a coquettish smile: "You don't know where this blessing came from! The old lady loves you so much and is afraid that we will treat you badly. I don't believe I am inferior to you in any way." There was a hint of sourness in Xue Baochai's words.

When Xiangyun heard this, she hurriedly pushed Daiyu and blinked mischievously in the direction of Xue Baochai, like a lively little deer.

Daiyu gently reached out and patted Xiangyun's hand, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, outlining a smile like a blooming spring flower.

"She is so beautiful, and her temperament is as lively and lovely as a nimble bird. Not only does the old lady love her very much, but even I, when I saw her, fell in love with her like crazy. I only wish she was my sister who is as close as a sister to me!"

After saying this, Daiyu couldn't wait to step forward, grabbed Baoqin's hand, and called out "sister" in a sweet voice.

Baoqin was young and enthusiastic, and naturally intelligent and quick-witted. She had been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood and could read and understand Chinese characters. Now, after staying at the Jia Mansion for two days, she had already gotten to know a few people there.

Seeing that all the sisters were not vulgar and shallow, I naturally did not dare to be negligent in the slightest.

And seeing that Lin Daiyu was outstanding, like a plum blossom blooming proudly in the snow, graceful and elegant, he became even closer to Daiyu.

While everyone was chatting and laughing, Li Wan sent her maid to invite them to go to Daoxiang Village to discuss the start of the community tomorrow. Everyone then put on their clothes and went together.

Jia Baoyu wore a gorilla felt cloak, just like a god of war in golden armor; Daiyu changed into red fragrant sheepskin boots with gold-embroidered clouds, a crane cloak with red feather gauze and white fox lining, a four-sided Ruyi ribbon with double rings in turquoise and gold, and a snow hat on her head, just like a fairy in the snow, pure and elegant.

All the sisters were dressed in the same scarlet gorilla felt and feather satin cloaks, like a gorgeous cloud.

Li Wan alone wore a blue woolen double-breasted jacket, which made her look like a blue lotus in the azure waters, pure and elegant; while Xue Baochai wore a crane cloak made of foreign silk and lotus-green dotted patterns, which added embellishment to the crane's appearance, like a blue lotus in full bloom, noble and elegant.

Xing Xiuyan was still wearing her old homely clothes and had not put on any clothes to protect her from the snow.

Shi Xiangyun wore a gown with a sable head on the front and a black grey squirrel lining given to her by her grandmother. She also wore a Zhaojun hat made of goose yellow with a cloud-like pattern and a red gorilla felt lining, and a large sable collar. She looked like an elf in the snow, playful and cute.

Everyone gathered in a circle, and Xiangyun couldn't wait to say, "Let's discuss the poetry composition! I want to hear who the host is today."

Li Wan opened her red lips slightly and spoke slowly, "This is my idea. Since the snow is falling, why don't we all get together and form a poetry club? Firstly, we can welcome the new sisters, and secondly, we can write poems to our heart's content. What do you think?"

Everyone cheered in unison. Li Wan continued, "Although my place is nice, it's not as wonderful as the Luxue's. I've sent someone to prepare the kang. It would be wonderful for us all to sit around it and write poetry!"

Baochai and others responded.

Then, everyone began to draft the topic and limit the rhymes. After the discussion, everyone chatted for a while before going to Lady Jia together.

The next morning, after a night of heavy snow, the snow on the ground was more than a foot thick.

Everyone arrived early, filled with anticipation, at the tranquil and elegant Luxue Temple. Upon entering, the air was thick with laughter and chatter, seemingly dispelling the winter chill. Then, amidst lively conversation, they slowly made their way to the cozy, warm, and comfortable kang-bedded room. Upon entering, a mouth-watering spectacle greeted them: cups and plates arranged in an orderly fashion, and a bountiful array of fruits and vegetables was plentiful. The title, rhyme, and format for this couplet were prominently displayed on the snow-white wall, like an invisible challenge before everyone.

Upon hearing this news, Baoyu and Xiangyun were filled with anxiety and hurriedly took a closer look. When they saw the title: "Composition of Couplets Based on a Scene, Five-Character Rhymed Poem, Limited to Two Xiao Rhymes," a glint flashed in their eyes. At first, everyone seemed a little reserved, speaking and acting in a conventional manner. However, as time went on, Xiangyun and Baoqin seemed to be suddenly inspired to fight. They were like chess rivals, arguing back and forth, their faces flushed, neither giving in, as if they were determined to determine the winner in this couplet competition.

Daiyu, always perceptive, found this scene a most amusing one. Her already lively eyes now gleamed with excitement, and she joined in the frenzied competition without hesitation. The other sisters were captivated by the brilliant performances of Xiangyun, Baoqin, and Daiyu, and were so engrossed in watching them that they forgot about their own couplets.

As the organizer of this event, Li Wan saw the situation gradually getting out of control and quickly shouted, "All right, all right." Her voice was crisp and powerful, as if it had a magical power, instantly bringing everyone back to their senses. Xiangyun, Baoqin, and Daiyu finally stopped writing and smiled at each other, their smiles filled with joy and satisfaction, truly joyful.

Everyone settled down again, carefully appraising and evaluating the couplets they had just created. Each had their own strengths, some refreshing and refined, others majestic and powerful. But Xiangyun's verses were the most numerous, as if her talent were flowing freely and uninterruptedly. Baoyu's verses, on the other hand, were relatively few, yet each possessed a unique charm, perhaps due to his spontaneous style. Everyone chimed in, sometimes praising, sometimes criticizing. A rich literary atmosphere permeated the room, as if time had stood still, pausing only for this magnificent couplet-writing extravaganza.