Chapter 514
: Big Face Treasure's House Was Stolen
Chapter 514: Big Face Treasure's House Was Stolen
The next morning, when it was barely daybreak, Xiren woke Jia Baoyu up. He looked out the window sleepily and went back into bed, mumbling, "It's not even daybreak yet. It's still early. Let's sleep a little longer."
Xiren said anxiously, "My little ancestor, it's getting late. You still have to go to school today. It will be bright by the time you finish washing up. Hurry up and get up. If you are late, the teacher will punish you with a stick."
"Who said we have to go to school today?" Jia Baoyu asked after opening his eyes.
"Madam specifically told someone last night that Second Master must go to school today. My dear ancestor, please get up quickly or you will be late!" Xiren replied while coaxing and pushing Jia Baoyu out of the quilt.
Jia Baoyu murmured unhappily, "My throat feels a little uncomfortable. Please tell my wife that you won't go today." After saying that, he deliberately coughed twice.
Xiren laughed angrily and said, "That won't do. You have to go today. I'm afraid the Madam will come to urge you in person later."
"Why? My wife never forces me to study." Jia Baoyu asked curiously.
Xiren was about to speak but hesitated. Seeing her strange expression, Jia Baoyu could not help asking, "What's wrong?"
Xiren sighed and whispered, "I heard from Jin Chuan'er that the master got angry last night and scolded the mistress. It was all because of you not going to school these past two days."
Big Face Bao was startled. He was most afraid of his father Jia Zheng. Usually he treated him like a mouse seeing a cat. Now he heard that Jia Zheng was angry and even his mother was scolded, so he did not dare to neglect him and quickly got up from the bed, dressed and washed.
Seeing that he was facing a formidable enemy, Xiren felt relieved, distressed, and a little disappointed. The illegitimate son was still calm and composed in front of the master, and talked freely, while Baoyu was so flustered.
Xiren, Sheyue and Qiu Wen helped Jia Baoyu wash and dress. As expected, it was already daybreak. Just as they were about to go out, Jia Baoyu woke up and wanted to run to Xiaoxiang Pavilion next door without saying goodbye to Sister Lin. Xiren hurriedly stopped him and said, "It's too late. Hurry up and leave. Be careful that the master will come back to ask you about your homework."
Upon hearing this, Jia Baoyu dared not act rashly. Xiren could not help laughing secretly, for she knew that bringing out the master would be able to scare this person.
Next, Xiren handed the lunch box, book box, and spare clothes to two maids, and told them to take them to the second gate and give them to the servant. At the same time, she reminded Jia Baoyu, "Heat up your lunch before eating. Take spare clothes as well. It's early spring and the weather is hot and cold. Remember to add or remove clothes. Those lazy guys will not care if you don't tell them. They just want to be idle and let you suffer from cold and heat for nothing."
Jia Baoyu said in a muffled voice: "I know!"
"Study hard. Even if you don't like it, at least you have to pretend. Now even the wife is at fault and has been scolded by the master. The second master is a smart person. If he is willing to spend time on studying, he will surely be able to make a name for himself..."
Jia Baoyu walked out of the room without waiting for Xiren to finish speaking, and the latter could only sigh.
"Qingwen, I will prepare the rouge after school. Don't do it yourself." When Jia Baoyu was going out, he met Qingwen who had just come back from fetching hot water, and he reminded her.
Qingwen smiled and said, "I see. Second Master, study hard. This year, don't even think about passing the examination to become a scholar. At least pass the provincial examination and become a student. Brother Lan is already a student. We can't afford to lose this person."
"Oh!" Jia Baoyu went out in a depressed mood.
Qingwen chuckled, and Musk Moon rolled her eyes and said, "You knew Baoyu didn't want to hear this, but you still teased him and mentioned Lan Ge'er."
Qingwen's eyes turned and she said, "Why not mention it? Why do you have to mention Lan'er? Who knows, the second master might be stimulated and learn from his mistakes, and study harder from then on. In the future, he might pass the imperial examination and become an official. Then he might even be his concubine." After saying that, she glanced at Xiren.
"Little bitch, it's you who wants to be a concubine!" Musk Moon scolded with a smile.
"I'm clumsy and ugly, how can I be worthy!" After saying this, Qingwen picked up the bucket and walked away gracefully.
Qiu Wen snorted, "Look at this slut, she walks like a fairy. Baoyu is not here, who is she flirting with?"
Musk Moon smiled and said, "Don't blame her, she is just like this, born this way. She is the most outstanding among our batch of girls. People say she has the character of a lady master."
"You are just like us. A girl's fate is that she can never become a phoenix even if she flies to a tree!" Qiu Wen said with a pout.
Xiren laughed and scolded, "If you have nothing to do, go to Qiu Shuang Zhai and ask the third young lady to do some work instead of wasting time here."
Qiu Wen said, "By the way, I heard that the garden will be managed from now on. Does that mean we can't just pick the flowers and fruits casually?"
"It's not clear yet. The third lady will probably set the rules today. I'm going to report to the lady now. You guys take care of the house." After giving the order, Xiren left Yihong Courtyard and went straight to Mrs. Wang's room.
When Xiren arrived at Lady Wang's room, she found Wang Xifeng and Baoyu's wet nurse, Li Mama, there too. She hurried forward to greet them. Lady Wang nodded and asked, "Has Baoyu gone to school?"
"I've already gone out." Xiren replied.
"Did you bring a change of clothes?"
"Remember, the temperature changes greatly from morning to night during this time of year."
Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Madam, you can rest assured. Xiren is the most stable and thoughtful person. She is a rare wise woman. Otherwise, why did the old lady assign her to serve Baoyu?"
Mrs. Wang asked Xiren a few more questions, all about Jia Baoyu's schooling and studying. Xiren answered them one by one. Then, Mrs. Wang sent Xiren away with satisfaction.
After Xiren left, Li Ma laughed and said, "Xiren is indeed a good person, and Musk Moon and Qiu Wen are also well trained. But Qingwen, relying on her beauty and cleverness, dresses up like Xi Shi every day. She is good at talking in front of others and is very competitive. If you don't agree with her words, she will raise her two coquettish eyes and curse you. She is so coquettish and unbecoming. In my opinion, Baoyu doesn't like to study and hangs out in the inner chambers all day long. It's all because of these coquettish bitches that he has been seduced and corrupted."
Mrs. Wang was immediately touched upon hearing this. What bothered her most now was that Baoyu did not like to study. Last night, she was scolded by her husband Jia Zheng for this. This had not happened in decades. But Jia Huan, the illegitimate son, had become famous for his studies and his status had risen. The old lady and the master obviously valued this son more. If this continued, not only Baoyu, but also herself would have no place to stand.
A blacksmith must be strong himself. If Baoyu doesn't work hard, he will have trouble inheriting the family business and even making a living in the future. No, I must not let Baoyu indulge himself.
Thinking of this, Mrs. Wang asked Fengjie, "The last time we followed the old lady into the garden, there was a girl with a slender waist and narrow shoulders, whose eyes and eyebrows looked a bit like your sister Lin, scolding a little maid. I looked down on her frivolous look, but because I was walking with the old lady, I didn't say anything. Later I wanted to ask who it was, but I forgot. Now I think that the maid must have been Qingwen."
Wang Xifeng said, "If we talk about these maids, none of them are as pretty as Qingwen. In terms of her words and deeds, she is a bit frivolous. What the lady just said is more like her. I have forgotten what happened that day, so I dare not say anything nonsense."
Nanny Li is Jia Baoyu's wet nurse. She often goes to the Yihong Courtyard to take advantage of her seniority, eat and drink for free, and act bossy. Therefore, the maids in Jia Baoyu's room don't like her, but they are polite to her because of Nanny Li's status. Only Qingwen is arrogant and has a sharp tongue. She is the only one who dares to quarrel with Nanny Li by pinching her waist, so the relationship between the two has always been tense.
At this time, Nanny Li sneered and said, "Don't bother, just call her over now and we'll know."
Mrs. Wang frowned and said, "The only people I often see in Baoyu's room are Xiren and Sheyue. These two are stupid. If there was this, she would not dare to come to see me. I hate people like this the most in my life. If Baoyu is seduced by this bitch, how can it be?"
As Mrs. Wang spoke, she sent someone to call Qingwen over.
Soon, Qingwen was brought in. Mrs. Wang saw that Qingwen was indeed pretty and charming, much prettier than the other maids, with sharp shoulders, a slender waist, and a pair of charming eyes. She said with a pah, "What a beautiful girl! Who are you showing off to with your frivolous attitude all day long? Don't think I don't know what you do every day. I'll expose your skin tomorrow!"
Qingwen was scolded for no apparent reason, and lowered her head in grievance, saying, "What did I do wrong? Please tell me clearly, Madam!"
"Look at this sharp-tongued person!" Nanny Li sneered.
Mrs. Wang got even more angry when she heard this and shouted, "Get out of here and don't dirty my floor. I don't like your extravagant look. Who allowed you to dress up like this?"
Qingwen had no choice but to leave the room. She was shocked, angry, and ashamed. She covered her face and cried all the way back.
Mrs. Wang dismissed Qingwen and said to Aunt Li, "I have been less energetic in recent years and have not been able to take care of him. I didn't see this enchantress. It's a good thing that Aunt Li reminded me today. I'm afraid there are still enchantresses like this in Baoyu's room. I'll have to go check them out myself and chase them away, so that Baoyu won't be seduced by them and lose interest in studying."
Madam Li hurriedly said, "Amitabha, it's better to chase him away. Bao-er should also concentrate on studying. If he passes the exam and gets a good score, Madam will enjoy the happiness, and I, an old servant, will also benefit from it."
Half an hour later, Mrs. Wang, accompanied by Zhou Rui's wife and other servants, rushed to the Yihong Courtyard in a rage. Without any explanation, they drove away several maids who served Jia Baoyu. The first to be driven away was Qingwen, followed by Si'er, Fangguan and others.
It is worth mentioning here that the fourth girl's original name was Huixiang. She was not particularly good-looking, but she happened to be born on the same day of the same month of the same year as Jia Baoyu, so she joked that she and Baoyu were husband and wife. Someone reported her to Mrs. Wang, and she was eventually driven away.
In addition, because Jia Zheng had ordered last night that there were too many servants serving Baoyu and the number should be reduced, Mrs. Wang simply drove away nearly half of them and transferred them all to serve other masters.
Hey, Big Face Bao is in trouble now. He went to school, but he didn't expect that his mother would steal his home. He will have a lot to cry about when he comes back.
(End of this chapter)