Red Mansion: Holding Space and Marrying Like the Sea

Unbeknownst to the Jia family, Lady Wang was preparing a devastating plan. Lin Daiyu felt much happier living in the Jia residence than she had in Suzhou. It felt like home. She didn't need to follow the maids' instructions; when she felt emotional, Bao Gege would tenderly soothe her; when she wanted to show off her talents to her cousins, they would flatter her. Nothing was off limits here; she felt like a free bird, soaring freely in the Jia residence's skies.

One day, Daiyu was playing with Baoyu in the garden when Yuanyang, who was beside Mrs. Jia, came over and said, "Miss Lin, Master Bao, I asked me to come and find you two." Mrs. Jia looked at the two people walking together and said to the people around her, "What a perfect match!"

Hearing what Grandmother Jia said, Daiyu blushed and lowered her head to fiddle with the hem of her clothes. Baoyu smiled and took Daiyu's hand, saying to Grandmother Jia coquettishly, "Grandmother, if you continue to praise me like this, I will be so embarrassed that I will hide away."

Seeing this, Jia's mother smiled even more happily. She patted Baoyu's hand and said, "Okay, okay, I won't praise you anymore. You came here because I have something to tell you."

Baoyu and Daiyu exchanged a glance and asked in unison, "What's the matter?" The old lady smiled and said, "Isn't it the Zhenguogong's wife's birthday in a few days? I want to take you two to see the world." Baoyu smiled and said, "Okay, okay, but I haven't heard you mention this family before!" The old lady looked at Baoyu and said slowly, "The Zhenguogong Mansion is an old and meritorious family just like us. It's just that we haven't been in touch since the Duke left. It's just that whenever there is something to do, the courtesy is there but the person is not there!"

The old lady continued, "When you get to the Zhenguo Mansion, if Daiyu sees any girls she likes, she can make friends with a few and invite them to her home in the future." Mrs. Lin then asked, "Dayu, have you ever been to a banquet before? Is there anything you don't understand?" Lin Daiyu replied directly, "Grandma, Yu'er attended a banquet in Suzhou before, and her poem won first prize!"

Baoyu looked at Daiyu in amazement, thinking she was so talented! Daiyu lowered her head in embarrassment. The old lady smiled and nodded, praising Daiyu's talent and encouraging her to continue showing her talent at the banquet. At the same time, she also reminded Daiyu to pay attention to etiquette and respect others.

Then the old lady began to introduce the two of them to the situation of the Zhenguo Mansion, including their family's status, family traditions, and relationship with the Jia Mansion. Baoyu listened with great interest, asking questions from time to time, while Daiyu listened quietly and occasionally expressed her own opinions.

Finally, the old lady instructed them to prepare the clothes they would wear to the banquet to show their respect to the old lady of the Zhenguo Mansion. Baoyu and Daiyu agreed and promised to carefully select the appropriate clothes.

Old Lady Jia hadn't visited anyone in years, and she was often lost in fond memories of the past. Back then, whenever Jia Daishan was around, everyone would flatter him. Therefore, Old Lady Jia didn't give Jia Baoyu and Lin Daiyu much instruction about the banquet. She simply told them to dress modestly and then let them go.