Red Chamber 25

The Xue family had left, but the troubles for the Mei family were far from over.

Sure enough, the very next day, Hanlin Mei was impeached by a censor.

His previous post abroad was stripped away, and while he was still sent away, it was only to a remote county to serve as a magistrate.

All the families who had previously intended to form a marriage alliance with Madam Mei now avoided her at every turn.

When Madam Mei had spoken to them about marriage prospects for her children, she had never mentioned that her son was already betrothed.

The ladies of those families only knew that Young Master Mei was young and promising; he had earned his scholarly title before the age of twenty and was considered a man with great potential.

How could they have imagined that not only was he betrothed, but he already had an eldest son by a concubine?

The Mei family had actually been looking for a wife for a son who was already betrothed—did they treat the girl's family as if they were dead?

With such questionable character, how could they possibly feel safe marrying their own daughters into that house?

Young Master Mei's reputation was ruined, and he could forget about ever marrying a good wife in this lifetime.

His second wife was secretly pleased, thinking that since Young Master Mei could not marry anyone else, she would be able to rise to the position of primary wife.

Little did she know that both Master Mei and Madam Mei loathed her, believing it was her seduction of Young Master Mei that had led to the birth of his eldest son and ruined his reputation.

Madam Mei, who had once been so partial to her niece, now despised her with equal intensity.

Madam Mei unleashed all the methods she had originally intended to use to torment Xue Baoqin upon her second wife, torturing her until she was in such misery that she was barely human within a short span of time.

However, the second wife was no pushover.

As Madam Mei's own niece, they shared the same nature—both were equally vicious.

As Madam Mei tormented her, the second wife began to plot against her aunt in secret.

The second wife's hand was swifter, and Madam Mei eventually died from the poison she had administered.

The second wife emerged as the victor.

But she did not get to enjoy it for long.

She had been tortured by Madam Mei until she was gaunt and aged; having lost her beauty, how could Young Master Mei possibly still care for her?

After Young Master Mei married a primary wife, he cast her aside and left her to fend for herself.

In the end, the second wife froze to death on a bitter winter day.

Young Master Mei was unable to marry a wife of noble birth and eventually settled for the daughter of a merchant, simply because her dowry was large enough to provide him with a life of luxury.

Yet, the status of that merchant's daughter was not even as high as Xue Baoqin's.

After all, Xue Baoqin was a descendant of the Ziwei She-ren.

Returning to the capital.

Liu Zhong told Jia Hu about his intention to have Liu Xianglian marry Xue Baoqin.

Jia Hu was delighted to act as the matchmaker. After discussing it with the princess, the couple hosted a flower-viewing banquet, with Jia Hu inviting a group of young men and the princess inviting young ladies to the Princess Mansion to enjoy the flowers and festivities.

The young ladies of the Rongguo Mansion, unaware of the princess's intentions, arrived in high spirits and brought along Xue Baoqin, who had been in low spirits since the breaking of her engagement, hoping to help her relax and enjoy herself.

Xue Baoqin could not bear to refuse the kindness of her sisters, so she pulled herself together and went to the Princess Mansion.

As she viewed the flowers and composed poems with her sisters, her mood truly began to lift.

She stepped away from her sisters and walked through the garden with her personal maid, letting her thoughts drift with the breeze.

Suddenly, a man's figure emerged from behind a large tree ahead.

The man and Xue Baoqin locked eyes, and both were startled.

The man hurriedly apologized to Xue Baoqin for the intrusion, turned around, and strode away.

Xue Baoqin watched the man's retreating back, stunned for a long moment.

What a handsome and heroic young man!

The man who had turned and left, Liu Xianglian, was also thinking of the young lady he had just encountered.

In that fleeting glance, he had taken in her entire appearance.

The girl was breathtakingly beautiful, more beautiful than any woman he had ever seen.

His own sister-in-law, Jia Yunchun, was a beauty, but she could not compare to the girl he had just seen.

That girl possessed a combination of glamour and innocence that drew one's gaze instantly, making her unforgettable.

He had to find his elder brother and have him ask his sister-in-law who that girl was.

If she had no betrothal, he would have his mother go to the girl's home to propose immediately.

What he did not know was that two people were standing on the second floor in the distance, taking in the entire scene of his meeting with Xue Baoqin.

Jia Hu remarked, "It seems my second brother has lost his heart."

Liu Zhong replied, "The second daughter of the Xue family is a beauty; it would be strange if he hadn't. This is good, too—I can finally go home and report back to my mother."

Jia Hu laughed, "Don't forget to give me a big red envelope!"

Liu Zhong smiled, "I won't forget you."

Liu Xianglian searched everywhere for his elder brother but couldn't find him, scratching his head in anxiety.

It wasn't until he left the Princess Mansion and returned to his own home that he finally saw Liu Zhong and Jia Yuanchun.

Liu Xianglian rushed forward eagerly and called out, "Big Brother, Sister-in-law, help me inquire about someone."

Jia Yuanchun let out a soft chuckle.

Liu Xianglian was confused by her laughter and asked, "Sister-in-law, what are you laughing at?"

Jia Yuanchun replied, "It's nothing."

Liu Xianglian: "??"

He didn't have much patience, so he quickly cast his confusion aside and said, "Big Brother, Sister-in-law, help me inquire about someone."

Liu Zhong pretended not to know and asked, "Who is it?"

A blush rose to Liu Xianglian's face: "A young lady."

He described the appearance and attire of Xue Baoqin.

Liu Zhong and Jia Yuanchun exchanged a knowing smile.

Jia Yuanchun pretended to be deep in thought and said, "The person you met should be the second young lady of the Xue Family."

"The second young lady of the Xue Family?" Liu Xianglian asked in surprise, "Is that the same Xue second young lady who broke off her engagement with the family of Hanlin Mei?"

Jia Yuanchun nodded.

Liu Xianglian huffed, "The Mei Family truly has no vision, treating gold-inlaid jade like mere stone beads. They deserve it for failing to marry such a wonderful young lady."

Liu Zhong teased him, "And you have good vision, then? You want to marry the Xue second young lady?"

Liu Xianglian didn't act coy; he generously cupped his hands in a salute: "I ask for Big Brother and Sister-in-law's help."

Liu Zhong replied, "Alright, go back and wait for good news. I will certainly make your wish come true."

Liu Xianglian was overjoyed, bowed deeply to his brother and sister-in-law to express his gratitude, and skipped away happily.

After he left, Liu Zhong and Jia Yuanchun both laughed out loud.

The two changed into casual home clothes and went together to Mother Liu's courtyard.

Mother Liu was waiting for them, and upon seeing them, she asked, "How did it go?"

Liu Zhong smiled, "It was love at first sight. Mother, you can send a matchmaker to the Xue Family to propose."

Mother Liu was delighted, "I will have someone find a matchmaker tomorrow. Your brother should have been married long ago; Lian the Second, who is close with him, is already a father of two. Your brother has been dreaming of marrying a beauty every day, delaying things until now."

Jia Yuanchun smiled, "It is not too late. Perhaps the brother's destiny was meant to be with the Xue second young lady, which is why he waited until today."

Mother Liu said, "Isn't that a match made in heaven?"

Jia Yuanchun replied, "Indeed it is."

The next day, Mother Liu had someone find the best matchmaker in the capital and asked her to go to the Xue Family to propose marriage.

The Xue Family attached great importance to the matchmaker's visit.

They all hoped that Xue Baoqin could marry into a good family.

Among the whole family, Xue Ke had received a hint from Jia Hu and felt confident, while the others were anxious, wondering who the suitor might be.