A Dream of Red Mansions: A Fairy Tale of Dreams (Complete) - Part 5

Chapter Ninety-Six: Rage Against Heaven

Seeing Bao Yu remain silent, his eyes filled with pain and utterly lifeless, the beautiful woman, her heart aching, took his hand for the first time, awkwardly offering words of comfort: "Take it easy. Mortals cannot escape the cycle of birth and death, which is why I chose the path of Heaven!" "The path of Heaven?" Her unintentional words struck a chord with Bao Yu's deepest pain. He blurted out, "What is the path of Heaven? Is the path of Heaven just toying with me? Is it just about killing people?" Before the bewildered Miao Yu could respond, he angrily pointed at the heavens again, "Why did you give me hope? Why did you give me hope only to leave me in despair?! Is this your will?" She couldn't let him continue like this; it would easily breed inner demons! The astute Miao Yu sensed something ominous. Bao Yu's sinister gaze hadn't yet faded from her mind. Unwilling to let Bao Yu be controlled by anger, the beautiful woman's mind shifted, and she immediately changed the subject.
"Should we retrieve Jin Chuan'er's body first?" Although Miaoyu was a Taoist practitioner, she had not escaped the mortal world and could not help but feel regret over the girl's death.
How could she face Chuan'er? It was all her fault! Thinking of this, Baoyu withdrew his step, unable to face reality, and murmured to himself, "No need, I don't want to disturb her peace!" Before he finished speaking, his face showed anxiety, "No, we can't let Chuan'er stay in the water!" "Baoyu, you don't need to blame yourself, Jin Chuan'er's death has nothing to do with you!" Miaoyu finally understood something from Baoyu's conflicted and painful expression, and her gentle, celestial voice tried to give Baoyu a comforting warmth!
Baoyu did not respond to the beauty, but hesitated and was caught in a battle between his conscience and his own mind.
"You go back and rest first, leave Chuan'er's matter to me!" Miaoyu had no choice but to take on the heavy responsibility; dragging it out like this was not a solution.
After a struggle within Baoyu upon hearing this, the shadow of defeat prevailed. Unable to face Jin Chuan'er's corpse, he painfully chose to escape. He nodded his thanks to Miaoyu and silently turned away, his desolate figure devoid of any spirit, like a lifeless old man, utterly devoid of vitality!
Miaoyu watched Baoyu slowly leave, the beautiful woman sighing inwardly, unsure of what to do. The word "love" in this world truly has a devastating effect; how could such an extraordinary person as Baoyu become so dejected in an instant! Could he ever recover?
Alas! The beautiful woman sighed heavily. The bond of love was so terrifying, yet why couldn't she erase the curiosity and longing in her heart?!
Seeing the pained Baoyu disappear from sight, Miaoyu mustered her strength, and powerful magic instantly enveloped her delicate body. The beautiful woman leaped up and plunged straight into the ancient well.
A moment later, before the ripples on the water had completely subsided, a soft "splash" suddenly rang out, and amidst the splashing water, Miaoyu's delicate body, untouched by water, soared into the air, tightly clutching a limp body under her arm.
The beauty, having flown into the air, gracefully landed back on the ground, gently placing the lifeless Jin Chuan'er on the grass. Looking up at the sky, seeing that dawn wouldn't break for another two hours, she decided to see this through and, not wanting to disturb everyone in the middle of the night, nor wanting to leave the body alone, could only sigh and decide to become the guardian of the corpse.
Miaoyu stood still, closed her eyes, and regulated her breathing, instantly merging with the natural world, becoming selfless and formless, perfectly natural!
Time quietly passed. As dawn approached, her troubled thoughts brought the celestial beauty back to reality from her pure world. No longer able to meditate, she opened her eyes and subconsciously glanced at the corpse of Jin Chuan beside her. A flicker of curiosity arose in her heart: what was it about Jin Chuan that made Bao Yu so concerned?!
"Alas!" Miao Yu exclaimed in surprise as she observed closely. So much time had passed, yet the corpse remained as rosy and natural as when she was alive, her body still soft and supple, showing no signs of death. If it weren't for the fact that life had truly ceased, anyone would think she was merely asleep!
How could this be? Miao Yu was utterly perplexed!
Disheartened and lost, Bao Yu left the lower courtyard of the Jia family mansion. His heart breaking, he instinctively turned back, hoping that only the warmth of his bed and the alluring beauty could slightly alleviate the endless unease and anxiety in his heart.
"Baoyu, you're here!" Baoyu had just reached the middle of his journey when Xiren's graceful figure appeared from ahead. Her caring voice gently roused the dazed Baoyu. "I've been looking for you for so long!" "Xiren!" Baoyu excitedly embraced his gentle maid, his suppressed grief bursting forth.
"What's wrong?" Xiren asked, her face showing surprise. She gently stroked Baoyu's sorrowful face. "What happened?" Endless sorrow reddened Baoyu's eyes. Who says men don't easily shed tears?! Deeply wounded, he could no longer suppress the surging emotions. Silent tears streamed down his face again, and he recounted the story of Jin Chuan's murder in a choked, halting voice.
Seeing Baoyu's weak and helpless state, the gentle Xiren's innate maternal love arose spontaneously. Like a sister or mother, she embraced the erratic Baoyu, gently patting his back.
A hint of pity flickered in the beautiful eyes of the fair maiden. It was less that Baoyu was recounting the truth, and more that he was seeking someone to confide in. Such immense grief and anger, if suppressed within, would be an unbearable burden; those with weaker minds would never escape the shadow of defeat.
Baoyu spoke unclearly and haltingly, but Xiren still understood him. After a gentle reassurance, seeing that Baoyu's emotions had calmed slightly, the fair maiden mustered her courage and asked the question that had been nagging at her: "You said that Sister Chuan'er was murdered simply because of the 'Spirit Jade' on your chest?!" Before the distraught Baoyu could respond, Xiren muttered to herself, "Impossible! Would a demon covet a piece of jade? What use is money to them?!" "You don't understand!" Baoyu released Xiren, looking helplessly up at the bright moon. "Actually, I don't understand myself either. If one could use jade..." "If only the stone could save Chuan'er's life!" Chapter Ninety-Seven: A Series of Deceptions "How strange!" A woman's curiosity is indeed incredibly strong; even the gentle and tender Xiren is not immune. For a moment, the sadness in the beauty's eyes dissipated considerably, and thoughts swirled within her heart. "Baoyu, I've been looking at that jade for over ten years, how come I haven't found anything special about it?!" Her melodious voice paused slightly, and driven by curiosity, Xiren's beautiful eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Take a close look at it for me; maybe you can find something magical, okay?" Before she finished speaking, the beauty gently shook Baoyu's arm in a coquettish manner, pleading.
"I'll get better in a few days; you don't need to try to comfort me!" Baoyu was deeply moved by the beauty's painstaking efforts. Although he had no intention of playing around, seeing Xiren going to such lengths to divert his attention, the melancholy in his heart did indeed dissipate somewhat.
"Do I really want to see it?" Xiren rarely pleaded, "If you don't let me see it, I'm afraid I won't be able to sleep tonight!" "If you want to see it, then see it!" Baoyu didn't want his sadness to affect the beauty's mood, so he forced a smile and sighed sadly, "This thing is probably not a lucky object, otherwise how could it..." Baoyu couldn't finish his sentence, and under Xiren's gentle persuasion, he reached for his neck.
"Here!" Baoyu casually handed the "Spirit Jade" to Xiren. Holding the warm jade in his hand, a thousand emotions welled up in his heart, but in the end, he didn't know what he felt!
Xiren's jade hand was slightly open, waiting for the jade to fall into her palm; at that very moment, a thunderbolt suddenly descended from the sky, swiftly striking Xiren's delicate body!
"Ah!" Baoyu stared dumbfounded at the scene before him, endless resentment rising in his heart. Damn it! Why is it like this again?! Does she really look like an idiot? Who would dare to deceive her!
A thunderbolt crashed down with tremendous force, only to be blocked above "Xi Ren's" head by an invisible barrier. After a burst of brilliant fireworks, both the thunderbolt and the protective barrier vanished without a trace.
"Who dares to ruin my plans!" A rough voice boomed from the "girl's" mouth. Thick black mist suddenly appeared in the confined space, obscuring "Xi Ren's" delicate figure.
"Baoyu, my boy, get out of here!" The long-absent Jia Jing appeared atop a high wall in the distance. His face was gaunt, and three wisps of black beard moved without wind. Holding a talisman, he uttered incantations, exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom!
The omnipresent night wind carried away the eerie black mist that had suddenly appeared. The middle-aged man, now in his true form, roared furiously. Seeing Baoyu turn back, the eager man hesitated to stop him; the power of the "divine stone" was no joke.
"Old man, since you're tired of living, I'll send you on your way!" The middle-aged man vented his anger on Jia Jing.
The talisman in Jia Jing's hand danced in the air, transforming into streaks of lightning that struck down fiercely.
The middle-aged man sneered disdainfully, raising his hand to catch five lightning strikes from his opponent with his bare palm. Then, his eyes flashed with ferocity as he pressed towards Jia Jing. "You think you can deal with mere Heavenly Thunder Curse? Die!" Before his words even finished, "Bear Mountain Lord" unleashed a fierce glint in his eyes. With a surge of powerful magic, a huge, illusory palm shadow rushed towards Jia Jing. The sharp force blocked Jia Jing's space to dodge, leaving him with no choice but to take the blow head-on!
The ever-growing palm shadow filled the entire space in front of Jia Jing. With no other option, he jerked forward instead of retreating, unleashing all the talismans he carried with him, instantly forming a magnificent "wall of talismans" in the void.
Just before Xiong Shanjun reached his peak power, the wall of talismans finally collided with the illusory palm shadow. A deafening roar shook the heavens and earth, followed by a series of explosive sounds. Wherever their power touched, rocks crumbled and earth shattered, an unstoppable force. Two figures, moving with ghostly speed, were entangled in a frenzied struggle, like a tornado rising from the ground. Fortunately, a magical barrier isolated all the sounds from the mortal realm; otherwise, it would have caused panic throughout the city!
A moment later, amidst the billowing dust, Xiong Shanjun stood alone. His calm face surveyed the devastated ground, and he sighed inwardly. This old fellow still had some skill; he hadn't managed to kill him with his palm strike!
Thinking this, Xiong Shanjun chuckled. Having taken a blow from his divine palm, this troublesome old fellow probably wouldn't live much longer. Let him live a few more days! As for the divine stone, he'd have to find another way; he would never give up!
Damn it, why are there so many monsters in this world?! Baoyu channeled all his frustration and sorrow into curses against the demons, running quickly towards Yihong Courtyard as he hurled his curses.
After swiftly rounding the trellis in front of the gate, an elegant arched doorway appeared before him. A sudden warmth unexpectedly welled up in his empty, restless heart; home was, after all, a haven of warmth and safety!
Baoyu paused briefly before the door, glancing back with lingering fear at the endless darkness behind him. It was as if countless gleaming green eyes were lurking in the shadows, watching him intently. His own fear made him tremble with dread, and he dared not linger any longer.
With a forceful push, the half-closed gate opened, and just as he was about to step inside, a captivating figure flashed into his view.
"Baoyu, where have you been? I was just about to go look for you!" Xiren, holding a garment, approached Baoyu with a concerned expression.
Hearing these familiar words, Bao Yu's chaotic mind erupted with rage. These despicable monsters had used this trick again! Was he truly destined to be bullied? This was outrageous!
Seeing the "monster" reach out to "grab" him, Bao Yu, no longer wanting to run, roared, "You monster, you've gone too far!" His handsome face flushed red with anger, and his eyes burned with fierce hatred. Xi Ren, seeing this, was
slightly stunned. Her beautiful eyes flashed with confusion and anxious concern. Just as she was about to ask a question, a powerful force suddenly struck her chest.
Chapter Ninety-Eight: Unbearable "Ah!" A scream pierced the night sky. Her delicate body was thrown backward by the heavy blow. Her tumbling figure in the air was like a helpless falling leaf, tracing a tragic trajectory under the merciless attack, finally crashing to the ground with a "bang," kicking up a thick cloud of dust.
The unexpected blow forced Xiren to lift her head with difficulty. Her beautiful, watery eyes were now filled with confusion and bewilderment. Her pale lips parted, but before she could utter a word, heartbreakingly hot blood gushed out. The beauty then went black, losing consciousness with endless resentment.
In a fit of rage, Baoyu kicked without thinking. He hadn't expected to hit the terrifying demon, but his pride and pent-up frustration prevented him from running away; he only wanted to die a glorious death!
How could this be?! Had his strange magic reached its peak? Caught off guard, Baoyu stared blankly at everything before him, instinctively looking down at his "powerful" right foot.
Xiren's groans as she fainted startled the confused Baoyu. Seeing the "monster" spitting blood, and that familiar gaze, his heart trembled violently. A most terrifying thought flashed through his mind like lightning, swirling endlessly!
"No! That's a demon, not Xiren..." Baoyu's pupils dilated, and he trembled violently, unable to bear the blow any longer. He kept reassuring himself, but his steps forward were as heavy as mountains. The deadly premonition was slowly destroying his already shattered mind!
Baoyu's roar and Xiren's screams, without the protection of a magical barrier, finally woke up all the women in the courtyard. Qingwen, Qiuwen, and Sheyue walked out of their rooms at the same time. The scene before them made them gasp in shock!
"Ah! Xiren, what's wrong?" Several panicked figures rushed over. Even the narrow-minded Qiuwen forgot her jealousy at this moment. The sisterly bond of more than ten years instantly brought tears to her eyes. Competing for favor was only a woman's nature, but she had never thought of harming her good sister's life!
"No way!" Baoyu's unfocused gaze swept over the three women nearby. After a laborious search, his weary eyes fixed on the wide-open bedroom door, but Xiren's figure remained elusive.
In an instant, endless regret and grief filled his mind. The intoxicating smiles of Jin Chuan and Xiren replayed in his mind. The images of the two women's faces shifting, Jin Chuan leaping into the well, and Xiren's gruesome scene of coughing up blood, struck Baoyu's heart like a thousand-pound hammer. Overwhelmed by
grief and hatred, his heart tightened, and his limbs stiffened instantly. The women's urgent calls faded into the distance until they were completely unheard.
Seeing Baoyu standing there blankly, the tear-streaked beauty Qingwen blurted out in dissatisfaction, "What exactly happened?" Seeing Baoyu remain silent, the straightforward Qingwen, in her anxiety, gently nudged him, her voice tinged with reproach, "Say something! Who hurt Xiren?" A muffled thud followed, and Baoyu, like a wooden statue, collapsed to the ground. Amidst the rising dust, the women cried out in even greater terror.
"Baoyu, don't scare us!" The three women looked at the unconscious Baoyu and Xiren, overwhelmed with grief. Fear and sorrow swirled and surged within the Yi Hong Courtyard!
A moment later, the clever and intelligent Qingwen mustered her strength and hurriedly ordered, "Musk Moon, quickly go and inform the Old Madam and Madam to fetch a doctor!" She paused slightly, then turned to Qiuwen and said, "Go and wake all the old women in the outer courtyard. The ground is cold; carry Second Master and Xiren back to their room first!" The two women didn't even have time to reply before running off. The situation was critical; no one had the leisure to argue.
"Baoyu, don't scare me!" Qingwen struggled to embrace Baoyu, her voice choked with sobs, tears streaming down her face. "Wake up! I'll never argue with you again!" In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Jia mansion was suddenly ablaze with lights. The shadows of people dispelled the loneliness of the night. The Jia mansion was in an uproar, filled with cries of grief, running, and scolding—a cacophony of noise, but not a single sound of laughter.
Inside the Yihong Courtyard, every member of the Jia family with any standing was present. The men gathered outside the courtyard, while the women stood in front of Baoyu's bedroom, the two groups of people anxiously whispering among themselves!
Grandmother Jia wept uncontrollably. She couldn't believe that Baoyu had suffered two such calamities in such a short time. Now, Baoyu was not only her precious darling but also the pillar of the Jia family. Everyone in the household knew that Baoyu was the mastermind behind the "Red Mansion" brand cigarettes, and they were overjoyed, hoping to rely on him for a lifetime of wealth. But the tree had withered before it even bore fruit, causing them immense anxiety.
Lady Wang was even more heartbroken than the old lady. She loved her only son dearly, and if she could, she would give her own life for his safety.
As time passed, Baoyu remained unconscious. The doctor in the room was still sweating profusely, administering acupuncture and medicine, doing everything he could to save him!
Lady Wang had long lost her usual grace and poise; her once elegant face was now deathly pale, and her delicate body trembled uncontrollably. She could only sit upright with the support of her younger sister!
Madam Xue Man, trying to compose herself, comforted her grief-stricken sister. The beautiful woman, equally troubled, felt a strange restlessness amidst her worries, as if she were losing a precious treasure. A sense of loss and sorrow welled up in her heart and lingered there.
"Qingwen, you should get up!" The three sisters, Yingchun and Tanchun, gently pulled at the three girls who were filled with self-reproach. "Baoyu is lucky and will be alright! The ground is cool, and if you kneel there and get sick, he will be heartbroken!" "Second Miss, don't try to persuade me!" Qingwen calmly declined Tanchun's kindness, her silent tears clearly visible in the candlelight. "It's all because we didn't take good care of Second Master that this happened to him! If Second Master doesn't wake up, the three of us will not live on alone!" Chapter Ninety-Nine: Shifting Feelings (Part 1) Upon hearing this, the three sisters sighed sadly in unison, their beautiful eyes filled with endless concern. Their hearts were filled with hope that Baoyu would wake up soon. The deep affection between the siblings left the three girls with no choice but to hope for another miracle.
"These three maids are so loyal, let them pray for Baoyu's safety!" The old lady waved her hand to stop the three sisters, who were about to speak again. In this critical moment where every second counted, a glimmer of hope was always good, even if it was just for peace of mind, it was better than doing nothing.
Baochai, who had been attending to Lady Wang, saw the silence of the crowd and a look of doubt flashed across her beautiful face. She gracefully walked to Qingwen's side. "Do you know what happened? Why is Baoyu, who is perfectly healthy, unconscious?" "Replying to Miss Bao, this servant doesn't know the details either. I'm afraid only Xiren, who is seriously injured and unconscious, knows what happened!" Qingwen, Sheyue, and Qiuwen all lowered their heads in unison. No matter the reason, they, as the maids, were all responsible for their master's misfortune.
Yes! What exactly happened? Everyone in the Jia household, who had previously been only concerned about Baoyu's illness, was now racking their brains in confusion. Unfortunately, Miaoyu was currently meditating by the well, while Baoyu and Xiren were oblivious. No matter how hard they racked their brains, they couldn't come up with a solution.
"Grandmother, I feel there's something fishy about this. Why would Brother Bao go out in the middle of the night?" After her initial panic, the quick-witted Daiyu suddenly had a flash of inspiration. The mysterious Miaoyu, whom she had only met a few times, appeared before her eyes. "I'm afraid Brother Bao's illness isn't an ordinary one. Isn't Miaoyu at the Longcui Nunnery quite capable? Why don't we ask her to come and try?" "Yes, that makes sense!" The old lady was now hoping for more solutions and hurriedly instructed Yuanyang to go to the Longcui Nunnery to fetch someone.
"Grandmother, I have met Miaoyu several times. I should go with Yuanyang!" The mature and beautiful Li Wan volunteered. The feelings of this widowed woman, who had been widowed for ten years, were different from those of others. Looking at the chaotic scene before her, the heavy and sorrowful atmosphere made her feel as if she had returned to the night ten years ago when her husband passed away. Subconsciously, she regarded her uncle, whose life or death was unknown, as a substitute for her husband. The pain from the bottom of her heart made the beauty even more unwilling to let the tragedy repeat itself. Li Wan, who regretted that she could not help, saw that there was a way for her to do something, so she took the lead and hurried to the door.
At this moment, Yuanyang no longer harbored resentment. After her half-joking, half-serious "final" words with Baoyu, the two had been intentionally or unintentionally avoiding each other. As time passed, the girl, who rarely saw Baoyu, bravely calmed the turbulent emotions churning in her heart. Yuanyang, who thought she had escaped Baoyu's "love net," finally revealed her true feelings upon hearing the "bad news." The emotions she had been "oppressed" surged back, overwhelming the girl's entire heart with an irresistible force!
Just as Li Wan had thought, no matter how slim the hope, as long as she could do something for Baoyu, Yuanyang could not refuse. The girl walked faster and faster, catching up with the eldest mistress in a few steps, and jogged alongside the beautiful woman towards the Longcui Nunnery. Of course, the result was a fruitless return.
Less than a moment after Li Wan and Yuanyang's figures disappeared from the women's sight, Feng Jie, stumbling and supported by Ping'er, rushed in. "How is Brother Bao? Where is he?" Feng Jie, disregarding everything, had her defenses completely shattered and could no longer conceal the deep affection in her heart. She took a step forward, intending to rush into the room, but fortunately, the shrewd Ping'er was prepared. The delicate young woman, not wanting her mistress to arouse suspicion, forcefully stopped Feng Jie's forward momentum.
Seeing Feng Jie struggling to break free, Ping'er hurriedly whispered in her ear, "Madam, the Old Madam and Madam are both here. You should be careful!" Concerned and flustered, Feng Jie's mind jolted. Only after Ping'er's whispered reminder did she remember her "annoying" identity and had to force herself to conceal her overly excited behavior. Fortunately, everyone in the room was anxious and uneasy, and no one paid any attention to her actions.
"Xiangling, how is Master Bao? Has Xiren woken up?" Because they were both maids and concubines of their masters, Ping'er and Xiangling were very close. Both were Xiren's confidantes, and compared to the others, they were more concerned about Xiren's life or death! The
shy Xiangling, who had been staying by Aunt Xue's side, replied with worry when her friend asked, "Master Bao and Xiren haven't woken up yet. The doctor is treating them inside!" They hoped Baoyu would be alright! The women all silently prayed for divine mercy!
The moonlight changed little by little, and under the watchful eyes of the anxious and restless women, after an unknown amount of time, the bedroom door creaked open under everyone's watchful gaze. The weary figures of the two imperial physicians whom the Jia family had urgently summoned overnight came into view. As they approached, the women of the Jia family felt their mouths dry and their hearts tighten, fearing they would hear the worst possible news!
"Reporting to the Madam!" The leading doctor bowed respectfully. Although he was an imperial physician, the person before him was a powerful and influential member of the royal family, so he dared not be negligent. "Both patients are out of danger!" A series of cheers echoed in the small space. The women's hearts, which had been hanging in suspense, slowly settled. Unfortunately, their tense nerves had not yet fully relaxed when the doctor's words tightened them again.
"However..." The two doctors exchanged glances, hesitated slightly, and finally spoke, "For some reason, Master Bao's condition is quite strange. He has no injuries, and we have worked together to clear his blocked meridians with acupuncture, but we still cannot wake him up!" "What?!" Madam Wang's delicate body trembled, and she blurted out in horror, "You mean that Bao Yu will not wake up!" Before she could finish speaking, the dignified and beautiful woman saw stars before her eyes. If it weren't for Madam Xue's timely support, she would have collapsed to the ground.
Another doctor quickly replied, "It's not that he can't wake up, but Second Master's condition is truly rare. Based on my many years of experience as a healer, whether Second Master can wake up depends entirely on his own will!" Chapter 100 Shifting Thoughts (Part 2) "Doctors, please explain clearly!" Sister Feng rushed forward, almost grabbing their clothes to question them.
"What I mean is that if Second Master wanted to wake up, he certainly could. I don't know why Second Master is so deeply depressed. Whether he can wake up depends on Second Master's single thought!" So that's how it is?! Upon hearing this, the women did not feel the joy of sudden understanding, but instead were filled with endless confusion and bewilderment. What earth-shattering event had occurred that could make the carefree and extraordinary Baoyu so heartbroken!
A deep sorrow welled up in Fengjie's gentle eyes. Unable to find an answer, the beautiful woman's mind raced with wild thoughts. Could it be that Baoyu, unable to receive her response, had taken his own life? No, he wasn't the type to commit suicide! In an instant, a thousand thoughts battled within Fengjie's mind. Caught in this internal struggle, the beautiful young woman ultimately couldn't reach a conclusion, but she secretly resolved that as long as Baoyu could wake up, she would never again intentionally cause them both pain!
The fear of losing her lover completely overcame the shackles of worldly constraints at this moment. But could her courage last until that crucial moment?
Besides Fengjie, another beautiful woman was also lost in thought. The restless Aunt Xue was also pondering in confusion. Although no physical impulse had occurred between them, the beautiful woman and her wicked nephew understood each other's feelings without tacit agreement.
Thinking of this, Aunt Xue couldn't help but wonder if Baoyu, unable to bear the torment of his conscience and desires, had contemplated suicide. Her heart pounding, the beautiful woman saw Baoyu's bold actions towards her in public, but she immediately dismissed the idea. How could such a "despicable" fellow be uneasy? It was a miracle he wasn't pressing her!
Ambiguous feelings surfaced at this inopportune moment, filling Aunt Xue with shame. While silently cursing herself, the beautiful woman's heart was completely consumed by an extraordinary pleasure, a forbidden infatuation burning uncontrollably within her.
If Baoyu continued to pursue her, should she gently refuse, or…? A thought shifted, and Aunt Xue sighed heavily in her heart, "Baoyu, please wake up!"
Just as the beautiful woman's thoughts were wandering far away, a deafening whistle interrupted her endless reverie. Aunt Xue, instead of being startled, was delighted and, along with the other women, paused for a moment before bursting into cheers.
The women, their faces beaming with joy, rushed into the room. Baoyu's terrifying scream was now more beautiful than celestial music!
Baoyu was "pushed" to the ground by Qingwen's gentle finger, as if a mountain of gold or a jade pillar had been overturned. Although his physical body was unconscious, a wisp of his spirit could not escape the torment and invasion of fear and sorrow!
Within the ethereal and unpredictable illusion, a helpless Baoyu sat on a cloud, hugging his knees. Self-reproach and panic were clearly visible in his unfocused eyes. For the first time since arriving in the illusion, he was speechless, unwilling to break free from the cocoon of his heart.
Trapped within the protective barrier, Guanyin was fully aware of everything concerning the reincarnated Wukong. Looking at Baoyu's helpless face in the Xuan Guang Mirror, a surge of compassion welled up from the eyes of the most beautiful female Bodhisattva in the Three Realms. For thousands of years, she had developed a profound affection for Wukong, this stubborn stone, a bond that transcended ordinary feelings—a teacher, a friend, a mother, and a sister. An overwhelming pity surged from her consciousness, filling her heart with tenderness that caused a subtle ache. Her love and care for the reincarnated Wukong manifested as invisible threads that emanated from her body, coalescing into a pair of urgent wings behind the most beautiful woman of unparalleled grace, propelling Guanyin's infinitely holy figure towards Baoyu.
At this moment, Guanyin forgot the Heavenly Realm, forgot the demon army, forgot the destruction and salvation of the world; her heart was consumed with anxiety, and all she wanted was to hold the reincarnated Wukong in her arms and comfort him, like the most ordinary mother soothing her defeated son!
"Bang!" Suddenly, a golden light erupted, and the anxious "mother" was repelled by the merciless barrier, only able to gaze at her helpless "child" from afar with concerned eyes! Guanyin's power subtly steadied her tumbling body. The bodhisattva, having lost her peaceful Buddhist heart, sighed sadly. She still couldn't break the barrier that had once saved her life. When would Wukong be able to achieve the ultimate state of oneness with chaos? Only Wukong at that time could help her escape.
"Stand up, you shouldn't be like this!" A gentle, caring voice echoed in Baoyu's ears, startling him from his confusion.
Baoyu's blank gaze swept around, and he muttered somewhat dazedly, "Isn't this the Land of Illusion? How did I get here?" A sigh sank heavily into Baoyu's heart, and the mysterious words of the "Fairy Disenchantment," filled with profound emotion, pierced his mind: "Foolish child, you still don't understand. The mortal world is naturally subject to the cycle of birth and death; this day will come sooner or later!" The mortal world?! Gods and demons?! Baoyu's heart trembled upon hearing this, and a flash of insight struck him. Wasn't this "Fairy Disenchantment" an immortal? Didn't immortals possess the power to bring the dead back to life?
At this thought, Baoyu grasped at a lifeline, his eyes blazing with burning expectation. He pleaded excitedly, "Fairy Disenchantment, please save Chuan'er's life! You are a deity, you can surely do it!" Seeing that Baoyu not only failed to escape the illusions of the mortal world but was instead sinking deeper into them, Guanyin could only clasp her hands together and chant a Buddhist purification mantra, hoping to cleanse his troubled mind with external force. "
To revive a life is no easy task, not even for a Great Immortal!" Her words, imbued with the peaceful sound of Buddhism, brought Baoyu a moment of calm. The profound power of her magic directly injected Guanyin's thoughts into Baoyu's mind, transforming them into his subconscious to persuade him to relinquish his attachments.
Baoyu felt he had inexplicably gained a completely new understanding: Jin Chuan'er's death was her liberation, allowing her to leave the mortal world and enter the Western Paradise, living a carefree life amidst boundless beauty. Why should he grieve for her? A joyful blessing was the right choice!
With this thought, Baoyu's heartstrings relaxed slightly, his tense body finally regained some vitality, and a leisurely smile slowly crept onto his handsome face.
Chapter 101 Guanyin's Allure A fleeting moment, before Baoyu's smile could fully bloom, he saw again Jin Chuan'er's deeply affectionate and moving eyes. The words she loved to utter echoed in his ears: "Baoyu, as long as I can be by your side, I'm happy no matter what; if I can't be with you for life, even if I become an immortal, I'll be an unhappy one!" "Chuan'er! Chuan'er…" Overwhelmed with emotion, Baoyu instinctively reached out to embrace the unhappy Chuan'er. His forward leap missed, and then his vision cleared. The girl's phantom had vanished. The cruel truth immediately reminded him of the harsh reality: Jin Chuan'er was dead, and he hadn't changed anything! What followed was likely watching helplessly as one beautiful woman after another perished, their souls departing for the heavens of sorrow!
His body swayed like a withered tree, and Baoyu floated aimlessly forward in the illusion, his feet barely touching the void. "Chuan'er wasn't happy, she wasn't happy at all without me! I'm the one who killed her, what's the point of my rebirth?!" Baoyu's mutterings grew louder and louder, finally turning into a deafening roar. "Heavens, did you turn me into a 'fake' Baoyu just to make me suffer like this?! If that's the case, I'd rather die than be manipulated by you!" An uncontrollable urge to destroy himself swirled within Baoyu's heart. He secretly vowed, "No one can play me! I'm willing to give up my life, let's see how you can still play me!"
At the crucial moment, Guanyin, who understood everything, gently dispelled the darkness in his heart with her care. "Don't give up on yourself. Heaven's will is the fairest thing. To gain something, you must give something in return! This is just a small test for you. In time, everything will clear up and the sun will shine brightly!" "I don't care!" Baoyu pointed to the sky and cursed angrily. "So what if Heaven is the greatest? So what if it's the greatest? Does being the greatest give it the right to take lives at will? Why is it testing me? And who has ever tested it? Damn it, I don't believe in this nonsense! Maybe it's you self-righteous gods who are pulling the strings behind the scenes. Do you think you are Heaven, and that your will is Heaven's will?!" Seeing Baoyu's words becoming more and more outrageous, Guanyin was not angry but pleased. The seemingly weak Baoyu actually exuded a wild aura. That untamed and unruly spirit made the female bodhisattva feel extremely close to him. Only at this moment did she see the shadow of Wukong in Baoyu!
Alas! A warm current flowed through her heart. Guanyin sighed with a mixture of affection and helplessness. Even immortals are not immune to emotions and desires. How could any living being with thoughts truly be without feelings and compassion? Even killing and destruction are acts of "emotion"! Compassion filled the heart of the peerless Guanyin. She sighed softly to herself, deciding to help this little one. Defying fate was one thing; perhaps it was Heaven's will to test him.
"Stop fooling around!" Guanyin's words, like a loving mother scolding her son, were half reproachful and half reprimanding, yet they brought a glimmer of hope to Baoyu!
"You silly boy, it's not impossible to revive Jin Chuan, but going against the will of Heaven will inevitably lead to endless suffering, and you might even fall into the cycle of reincarnation, never to be reborn. Do you dare to try?!" Boundless joy instantly filled Bao Yu's heart. Afraid he might have misheard, he cautiously asked, "Does the fairy mean Jin Chuan can come back to life?" "Jin Chuan has only recently died. As long as her body isn't destroyed, she can be brought back to life through the art of soul resurrection. However, the person performing the ritual will be defying fate and will inevitably suffer a heavenly tribulation. You must think carefully!" Her gentle words reminded Bao Yu once again to consider things carefully. A heavenly tribulation is no joke! Since the beginning of time, countless gods and demons who considered themselves highly skilled and had cultivated for tens of thousands of years have turned to ashes under heavenly tribulations, let alone Bao Yu, who is currently just a mortal! If Guanyin hadn't truly had no other choice, she wouldn't have resorted to such a desperate measure just to provoke Bao Yu's fighting spirit!
"Thank you, Fairy!" Baoyu instantly perked up and became full of fighting spirit. "No difficulty can stop my determination! Please teach me how to save Chuan'er, Fairy. Should I go to the Underworld to snatch her away?!" The miracle and the turn of events greatly pleased Baoyu, and his suppressed nature returned to normal. He immediately began to imagine himself in the Underworld, full of pride and smugness! "
Who says that returning to life means you have to go to the Underworld?" Guanyin knew a thing or two about the reincarnated Wukong's temperament. To divert his attention, the female bodhisattva couldn't help but chuckle.
"Don't ghosts all report to the Underworld? Or is it that Jin Chuan'er was kind in life and went to Heaven after death? Fairy, you wouldn't want me to ask God for her, would you? That's not bad!" The guy, talking to himself, didn't wait for Fairy Jinghuan to respond and began to indulge in his wild thoughts!
"You're talking nonsense, boy," Guanyin couldn't help but smile. She was truly lonely and bored, trapped alone in this illusory realm, and Baoyu's arrival always brought her joy!
After a series of rambling, irrelevant conversations, Guanyin's expression turned serious. She solemnly said to Baoyu,
"With your current almost nonexistent magical power, trying to save Jin Chuan is nothing short of wishful thinking!" Baoyu's heart tightened. His exceptional talent allowed him to sense there was more to the fairy's words. He suppressed his fear, strained his ears, and quietly awaited the mysterious beauty's answer.
Guanyin paused slightly, a hint of reminiscence flashing in her deep, beautiful eyes. "Only when you find the broken bottle, restore it to its original state, and feed Jin Chuan'er the water from the Spirit River it holds, will she be reborn!" "Oh! Is that all?" Bao Yu blurted out instinctively. He had originally thought it would be a life-or-death ordeal, but it turned out to be just a matter of repairing a bottle and filling it with water!
"That's all! Do you think it's easy?" Guanyin looked at the ignorant and foolish boy, unsure whether to laugh or be angry.
"Is it difficult?" Baoyu scratched his head sheepishly. "I don't think so!" This time, Guanyin was truly annoyed. Perhaps being trapped in the barrier was too boring, or perhaps being in the past had caused this most beautiful female bodhisattva in the Three Realms to lose the peace of her Buddha heart. For the first time in thousands of years, she was angry
. Her displeased eye roll and slightly upturned lips exuded an irresistible charm. Fortunately, no one saw it, otherwise, many more lost souls would have been lost in this world! Chapter 102 Fairy Sister Baoyu was fortunate not to see the coquettish fairy, so he still had the mood to think wildly. Seeing that Fairy Jinghuan had not responded for a long time, he had no choice but to take the initiative to ask, "Fairy, what does that jade bottle look like? Why does the name sound familiar? Is it something that isn't very rare? Can I just find any one?" A series of questions went on and on, almost to the point of mentioning which bottle repairman had better skills!
"You're still not done yet!" Guanyin couldn't help but interrupt Baoyu's rambling, "Do you think this is child's play? Just a little bit is enough!" "Heh, heh..." The shameless fellow laughed happily instead, "That's more like it, isn't it? Cold and indifferent, without any joy or sorrow, what's the point? Fairy, you agree, right?! Ha, ha..." The laughter stopped midway, and before the fairy, whose thoughts were churning within the barrier, could respond, Baoyu's expression suddenly changed. All his playfulness and laughter disappeared, and with a solemn expression, he said loudly, "Thank you, Fairy, for allowing me to be silly. I feel much more relaxed now!" He paused slightly, deeply moved by the "unfamiliar" fairy's good intentions. A warm current instantly moistened his eyes. Although he didn't understand why the mysterious "Fairy Jinghuan" was so kind to him, he, who had been lonely since childhood, didn't want to seek the answer. He only wanted to wholeheartedly enjoy this rare kindness.
"May I call you Fairy Sister?" His trembling voice betrayed his extreme nervousness, his anxious heart filled with intense anticipation and longing for family. Although he had parents and many family members in the Jia household, the "false" Baoyu, whose soul had already departed, could never find a true sense of belonging, always considering himself a "false" Baoyu in his heart.
Sister?! A strange, unprecedented feeling swept through Guanyin's heart. A magical pebble had been thrown into her calm sea of emotions, creating ripples that, though not a raging storm, left an indelible mark.
Guanyin, her heart stirred with turmoil, hastily clasped her hands together and rapidly chanted the Pure Heart Mantra. The female bodhisattva, trying to suppress her inexplicable feelings, spoke calmly, but her words couldn't conceal a hint of excitement. "A title is just a label; call me whatever you want!" Her tone shifted, and Guanyin's peaceful, celestial voice rang out again, "To save Jin Chuan, you must preserve her original form, then gather both halves of the Pure Bottle, combine them, and fill them with the water of the Spirit River. Then you will have succeeded!" Hearing this, Bao Yu stopped his antics and honestly asked, "Fairy Sister, where can we find the 'Pure Bottle'? And where is the Spirit River?" "Only the Pure Bottle in this world has the power to bring the dead back to life. The water in the Pure Bottle can revive withered trees and change fates. Unfortunately, I don't know where it is now." Guanyin, now deprived of her freedom, looked at her empty hands, a hint of sadness flashing in her beautiful eyes.
"What should we do? Where are we going to find those two halves of the jade bottle in this vast world?" Baoyu blurted out anxiously.
Guanyin snapped out of her reverie, "As long as you can merge with the 'Spirit Jade,' you will naturally be able to sense the location of the jade bottle!" Why did we have to get back to this damned "stone"?! Baoyu looked down at the jade stone on his chest, still unable to forgive it for "killing" Jin Chuan'er. "Fairy Sister, what exactly is this damned 'stone'? Please tell me!" "The time is not yet ripe. You should focus on your cultivation!" Guanyin rejected Baoyu's old question without hesitation.
That same phrase again! Baoyu muttered to himself, "Who exactly is this fairy sister? Always playing tricks on this fine young man like me!"
Helpless, seeing the Fairy Disenchantment's resolute tone, he had no choice but to give up; he then asked, "Where is the 'Spirit River'? I've never heard of such a river!" "The Spirit River is where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth gathers, located at the foot of Mount Ling in the west!" Guanyin mentioned Mount Ling, and couldn't help but wonder if the gods and Buddhas were currently engaged in a fierce battle with the demon army. The fate of the Three Realms was now entirely in the hands of the oblivious reincarnated Wukong, but judging from his current state, he was far from achieving the unity of Yin and Yang!
Baoyu's astonished words interrupted Guanyin's thoughts, "Fairy Sister, the Mount Ling you mentioned wouldn't be the legendary Western Paradise, would it?! That's the territory of the Buddha!" "That is precisely where the Buddha Tathagata resides, you must not speak nonsense!" The stern rebuke made Baoyu immediately look bitter, secretly cursing himself for being so quick-tongued. He should have kept his disrespect to himself, why did he have to say it aloud? He knew that these gods and immortals were all under the Buddha's command!
A thousand thoughts raced through Baoyu's mind, and he involuntarily recalled the story of the pilgrimage to the West in "Journey to the West." He subconsciously asked, "Isn't the Western Paradise a hundred and eight thousand miles away? I can't fly, so am I supposed to walk there?!" Before the fairy sister could answer, the poor fellow suddenly had a brilliant idea, "Fairy sister, aren't you incredibly powerful? Why don't you conjure up an airplane? That would make things much easier for me!" "You…" Guanyin was both angry and amused. Millions of years of cultivation couldn't suppress her inner amusement. The goddess, losing her composure, huffed and puffed, "There's no way! You'd better obediently go to the Western Paradise again!" "Again?" A hint of doubt arose in the mind of the perceptive Baoyu. "Why did you say 'again'? I don't remember ever going to the Western Paradise!" Guanyin, who had inadvertently let slip her secret in her haste, didn't know how to answer. Hearing Baoyu's repeated questioning, her beautiful eyes darted around, and she had no choice but to resort to the ultimate weapon of worldly women—playing the victim, acting coquettishly, and denying everything. "When did I say you went to the Western Paradise? Can't you just remember the wrong person?" Baoyu trembled at her words, quickly shutting his lips and waving his hands frantically, indicating that he would obediently comply. He knew that the matter wasn't yet clear, and whether Jin Chuan could be resurrected depended on this "stingy" fairy sister's help; how could he not obediently comply?!
After a moment, Baoyu cautiously asked in a soft voice, "Fairy Sister, I'm not afraid of the long journey, but the round trip will take a long time. What will happen to Jin Chuan'er's body? Even the ice cellar can't preserve her for that long!" Guanyin, still not completely appeased, rolled her eyes at Baoyu from within the barrier, "You only need to place the 'Spirit Jade' on Jin Chuan'er's chest for three days and three nights, and her body will remain incorruptible for three years!" Chapter 103 Fetching Water from the West "Three years? Isn't that a bit short?" Baoyu thought to himself. Even Tang Sanzang, traveling non-stop, took more than ten years to make the round trip. How could he possibly make it in three years?
"Fool!" The most beautiful woman in the Three Realms, her heart filled with resentment, quickly gave Baoyu a fitting nickname. "You think you can really walk there on your own two legs? If you can't even fly on clouds, don't even mention three years, you won't be back even in three hundred years!" Seeing the confusion in Baoyu's eyes, Guanyin forced herself to remain calm and said, "These three years are only for you to fuse with the 'Spirit Jade.' If you can't become one with the jade in a single day, how can you find the Pure Bottle, and how can you go to the Western Paradise to fetch water?" Baoyu sighed and held up the "Spirit Jade" to... Looking at the jade before him, he muttered to himself, "In the end, everything depends on you! What exactly are you? Can you speak?" Receiving no answer, Baoyu, feeling utterly bored, put the jade back to his chest and playfully begged the fairy sister for guidance on the path to heaven, "How can I merge with it? It's not like I have to swallow it whole, is it?" Guanyin was about to reprimand the mischievous reincarnation of Wukong again when she noticed a fleeting sadness in Baoyu's eyes. The Bodhisattva couldn't help but sigh inwardly. The human heart! Indeed, it is the most unfathomable thing; Baoyu is clearly filled with sorrow, yet he tries to mask it with laughter! Even with her boundless power, she cannot control the fickleness of the human heart!
Guanyin, who understood everything, instantly dispelled her anger, her eyes revealing concern as she gently comforted him, "Don't overthink it. As long as you continue cultivating according to your own method, you will achieve your goal when the time is right." "What cultivation method do I have?" Baoyu subconsciously scratched his head, his childlike nature clearly showing. After much deliberation, a flash of inspiration struck him, and he couldn't help but wonder if the fairy sister was referring to "the harmony of Yin and Yang"?
"Is this considered cultivation?" Baoyu asked himself earnestly, a rare occurrence.
"It should be! Isn't this the best cultivation method?! Heh, heh..." After a moment's thought, the shameless fellow immediately drew a subjective conclusion: this was the most comfortable and effective method of cultivation in the world; he probably couldn't cultivate it any other way!
Secretly delighted, Baoyu looked up at the jade palaces floating in the void. Just as he was about to speak, the calm and gentle voice of Fairy Jinghuan rang out first, "Go back! It's not too late to come back when your magic power is sufficient. At that time, I will explain everything to you!" Before she finished speaking, a gentle breeze swept over him. Under the caress of this soft breeze, Baoyu suddenly found himself transformed into a light feather carried by the wind, swaying and "flying" away into the distance.
Unable to resist the fairy's gentle "farewell," he could only dance wildly in the void, half-jokingly uttering his true feelings, "Fairy, I think you're the cutest this time!" As Baoyu's figure receded into the distance, Guanyin neither agreed nor denied his jest, only letting out a sigh of profound emotion carried on the wind, "Fate is fickle, and the will of Heaven is unpredictable! Perhaps acting according to one's nature is the way for you to cultivate. Take care!" Strands of thought swirled in his sea of consciousness. Baoyu, his primordial spirit returning to its body, awoke from the endless stillness. Without opening his eyes, he repeatedly murmured the fairy's last words, "Act according to one's nature, I must act according to my nature, I should act according to my nature!" His eyelids trembled slightly, and as Baoyu murmured, brilliant multicolored light burst forth from the divine stone, enveloping his body for a moment before disappearing into his body like water into the sea the instant he opened his eyes.
Baoyu subconsciously glanced around. After a moment of confusion, the scenes before he fainted flashed before his eyes like lightning. Heavens! Jin Chuan was dead, the monster had arrived, and finally, he himself had kicked Xiren, leaving her life hanging in the balance!
The immense shock instantly shattered Baoyu's fragile heart. All the memories flashed into his mind like lightning, transforming into endless depression and restlessness that filled his entire being.
Just as he was falling into despair again, the scene in his "dream" was like a sharp sword piercing through the fog, bringing bright sunshine. Joy and hope dispelled the dark depression, and the four words "acting according to one's nature" were deeply engraved in the depths of his heart, influencing his entire long life!
Under the impact of this tremendous change, the incredibly excited Baoyu could no longer suppress his surging emotions. He involuntarily gathered his energy in his dantian and let out a clear, earth-shattering roar. In this sudden, long roar, the last trace of gloom and sorrow in his heart was finally completely released. Returning to his true nature, the shadow of failure no longer existed in his mind.
The carefree smile that had vanished returned to his lips, tinged with a hint of wickedness amidst its elegance, and a sincere innocence beneath its untamed nature. The extraordinary, heroic "fake" Baoyu had returned!
"Baoyu, you're awake!" Before the whistling had even stopped, the women rushed into the room. The old lady, supported by the three sisters, asked anxiously, "What terrible thing has happened to you this time, child? Don't frighten this old woman again!" "Yu'er, tell me quickly, what exactly happened?" In her anxiety, Madam Wang grabbed her son's hand and carefully examined him from head to toe. Only when she saw that Baoyu was unharmed did she feel relieved.
Before Baoyu could answer, Tanchun immediately asked, "Brother Bao, why is Sister Xiren so badly injured? Is there a thief in the manor?" Seeing everyone's lips slightly parted, indicating they had many questions, Baoyu quickly waved his hand to stop the chaotic chatter. "Don't worry, I'll tell you the truth." He paused, then turned to Tanchun under everyone's gaze and asked, "How is Xiren?" His trembling voice and tense limbs betrayed his extreme anxiety. The kick he had delivered in his anger was no small feat! While not enough to split a mountain, it was still a powerful blow among ordinary people.
"Brother Bao, Xiren is much better now," Yingchun said, her gentle face revealing a hint of doubt. "It's strange, the doctor examined Xiren's injuries and told us to prepare for her funeral, saying she would never wake up again. But less than half an hour later, Xiren woke up on her own!" At this point, the young women chuckled in unison. Daiyu, never one to mince words, picked up where Yingchun left off, saying, "The doctor's face was hilarious, like he'd seen a ghost. He kept taking Xiren's pulse repeatedly, and in the end, this quack couldn't explain himself and had to slink away with his tail between his legs, hee hee..." That's good! Half the weight on Baoyu's heart finally lifted. He secretly pondered, realizing that it must have been the Yin-Yang dual modification of the magic that altered Xiren's body. Heaven still had eyes, showing him a little mercy!
After taking a deep breath, Baoyu forced himself to calmly weave a white lie. After much deliberation, he finally decided to keep the matter of the demon a secret. After all, it was a burden that not everyone could bear, and if it were to spread, it would surely cause uncontrollable panic in the mansion!
Thinking of this, Baoyu smiled to himself. If the carefree beauties of the Grand View Garden were to live in fear all day long, and thus become haggard, that would be a sin, a sin indeed!
"What?! Chuan'er was knocked into the well by thieves while protecting you!" Baochai, usually gentle and kind, was very close to the innocent and kind-hearted Jin Chuan'er. Upon hearing this, her face paled, and she asked anxiously, "Where is Chuan'er? Has anyone rescued her?" Baoyu's heart tightened. The intense pain made his pale face even more bloodless. Overwhelmed with grief, he shook his head sadly, having no more interest in speaking. He moved to get out of bed to be with Jin Chuan'er's cold body.
"Brother Bao, you should rest first. Leave Chuan'er's matter to me!" Fengjie, who had been standing silently all along, finally spoke. Since entering the room, she had been overwhelmed with mixed feelings, not knowing what to do.
Upon hearing Sister Feng's words, Baoyu's empty heart trembled slightly, and his listless gaze involuntarily turned towards the source of the voice. Two excited gazes collided in mid-air, and a brilliant spark of emotion simultaneously filled their minds.
For the first time in a long time, Sister Feng's gentle eyes bravely gazed at Baoyu, her deep affection, like an invisible thread, seeping through the gaps in the crowd and tightly binding herself to Baoyu's figure.
If it weren't for the clever Ping'er, who had been prepared, tightly holding her mistress's arm, the beautiful young woman would surely have rushed into her beloved's arms without hesitation! Even so, the surging tide of emotion grew stronger and stronger, threatening to shatter the beautiful woman's rational defenses at any moment.
Seeing the "critical" situation, the shrewd Sister Feng, with Ping'er's "help," chose to escape. Being able to handle Jin Chuan's funeral arrangements for Baoyu made the beautiful woman feel that both options were mutually beneficial. After a few words, Sister Feng swiftly took her leave before the sea of emotion could overflow.
"Baoyu, you're not allowed to go out. You should just lie down and rest!" Seeing Baoyu trying to get out of bed, the old lady, heartbroken, had no choice but to harden her expression and loudly command the people outside, "Someone come here!
You all keep a close eye on Second Master. He's not allowed to step out of his room until dawn, or I'll break your legs!" The maids and servants who entered rarely saw the old lady so stern. They all knelt down on the ground, their knees buckling. "Don't worry, Madam, we will definitely serve Second Master Bao well and won't let anyone disturb him." "Don't disturb his rest!" "Hmm!" Grandmother Jia nodded in satisfaction, glancing around to see everyone looking terrified, clearly frightened by her. The old lady chuckled, her kind face finally softening the cold atmosphere in the room. "You little maids, I'm only doing this for Baoyu's sake, what are you afraid of?" "Grandmother, you scared me to death! What are you going to do to make up for it?" Daiyu nestled close to Grandmother Jia, her delicate hands gently "pounding" the old lady's shoulder.
The three sisters of the Spring Festival also rushed forward, grabbing hands and pulling sleeves, refusing to let her go. Only the dignified and graceful Baochai smiled and helped Lady Wang along, not joining the other sisters in the commotion.
"Alright, alright... I'll make up for it!" Grandmother Jia, overjoyed by her granddaughters' coaxing, beamed with delight. "You little maids, take whatever treasures you fancy!" She paused slightly, a playful urge stirring within her after a night of worry. Before the girls could thank her, she added with a smile, "Consider it an early dowry, okay?" At the tender age of sixteen, the old woman's teasing remark struck a chord deep within their hearts, stirring a blush that swirled and rose within their undeveloped souls, transforming into blushes on their cheeks.
With a soft "Mmm," the shy Daiyu led the way out, followed closely by the three sisters, no longer daring to misbehave.
"Ha, ha..." Everyone in the room burst into laughter at the sight, even Baoyu, who was forced to lie on the bed, couldn't help but laugh out loud.
When the laughter stopped, Grandmother Jia looked at Baoyu with affection, "Just rest peacefully. I will send people to guard the mansion closely. Did you see the thief's face clearly?" "It was too dark at night, and the thief was masked. I don't remember anything!" Baoyu shook his head slightly, sighing inwardly. One lie really requires ten to cover it up!
Seeing Baoyu's sentimental expression, Lady Wang was afraid that he would think of unpleasant things again, so she quickly stepped forward and comforted him gently. Finally, she turned to everyone and said, "Let's all go out! Let's not disturb Baoyu's rest!" Led by the old lady, the women filed out, leaving Baoyu alone in the room.
Seeing Baoyu's pitiful state, Baochai, who was walking at the back, couldn't help but smile. Just before leaving, she turned back to comfort him, saying, "Brother Bao, I will take good care of Jin Chuan'er's family. Don't worry too much, just rest well!" Before Baoyu could reply, the beauty had already quickly left. With a forceful pull of the servants guarding the door, the two doors separated Baoyu from the endless troubles of the mundane world!
Baochai was so thoughtful! Baoyu sighed with relief. Chuan'er's family must already know the terrible news, and he couldn't tell them the truth. All he could do for Chuan'er was to take good care of her parents, and also that mischievous Yu Chuan'er who looked exactly like Jin Chuan'er!
Chapter 105 Ping'er's Heart Stirred After a period of great emotional turmoil, Bao Yu's mind, exhausted from its ups and downs, was overcome by weariness. The invincible demon of sleep instantly took control of his body. Anxious about the future, he unknowingly fell into a deep sleep, temporarily casting aside all worldly concerns. Only by maintaining his fighting spirit could he resolutely embark on that unknown and arduous path!
Beside the ancient well, Miao Yu had not yet figured out the strangeness of Jin Chuan'er's corpse when chaotic footsteps approached from afar. The celestial beauty, unwilling to face the questions of the crowd, vanished into thin air the moment they were about to enter the courtyard.
Surrounded by servants, Feng Jie and Ping'er quickly entered the lower courtyard of the Jia mansion, heading straight for the ancient well.
Miao Yu, hidden in mid-air, saw that they were from the Jia mansion and assumed that Bao Yu had already told her the details. Disliking dealing with people, she secretly thought, "It seems there's nothing for me to do!" A faint glow of sunset shifted, and a celestial beauty, riding a flying sword, shot away, tracing a mysterious path in the void before vanishing without a trace. Only the swirling clouds in the wind proved her existence.
"Grandma, why is this stone slab broken? Was that thief really that powerful?" Ping'er whispered beside Fengjie, her voice filled with deep doubt. "How did Master Bao escape the thief's clutches? Could Jin Chuan have stopped him?" "Yes!" Fengjie nodded in agreement, her heart filled with a secret thought. Was Baoyu hiding something?
Fengjie, her mind preoccupied with her lover, quickly changed her mind and whispered to Ping'er, "Don't tell anyone else. Everything will be fine, understand?" A knowing glint flashed in Ping'er's beautiful eyes. She thought to herself, "My mistress is truly devoted to Baoyu, but what am I, caught in the middle? What will happen if my husband finds out?" Alas! Ping'er sighed heavily in her heart. She couldn't blame her grandmother; Jia Lian was always out having fun, never showing any concern for them, barely even seeing them a few times! Her husband was indeed far inferior to Bao Yu now, no wonder her grandmother was having an affair with him. Perhaps one day she would too… "Ah!" Ping'er's heart skipped a beat, surprised that she was having such wild thoughts, and she blurted out unconsciously.
"What's wrong? Did you find something?" Feng Jie, unaware of her good friend's complicated thoughts, mistakenly thought she had made some major discovery.
"No! I kicked a pebble!" The embarrassed Ping'er quickly denied it. Fortunately, the night was dark and the candlelight dim, and Feng Jie, preoccupied with her own thoughts, didn't notice her flustered eyes and flushed face.
After a careful inspection, Feng Jie immediately ordered people to get to work. Having handled Qin Keqing's funeral at the Ningguo Mansion, Feng Jie was naturally adept and busied herself with the tasks in an orderly manner!
As the first light of dawn appeared, and the mystery of the night had not yet completely faded, at this eternal moment of transition between black and white, Baoyu, unable to sleep any longer, resolutely left the Yihong Courtyard despite the strong objections of Qingwen and the others.
Unable to stop him, the three women, fearing that Baoyu might do something foolish, moved to chase after him.
As Baoyu reached the gate, his tall figure suddenly stopped, instantly becoming still. Turning around, he calmly gazed at the girls, his clear voice soothing their anxious hearts. "I'm fully awake now. You should stay here and take good care of Xiren! I'll be back as soon as Chuan'er's matter is settled!" "Xiren's injuries have stabilized. With Sheyue and Qiuwen watching over her, she'll be fine. I'll go with you!" Qingwen, unable to put aside her worries, insisted on staying by Baoyu's side. Her tone shifted, and the girl, who was very close to Jin Chuan'er, couldn't help but feel sorrow. "I also want to pay my respects to Chuan'er. We were playing together the other day, I never expected..." A sob escaped Qingwen's lips, and the girl, unable to speak, could no longer continue.
"Alright!" Baoyu forced back the tears welling in his eyes, his face somber as he strode away, his seemingly composed figure revealing a touch of autumnal desolation.
The two walked in silence. Seeing Baoyu's steps falter as he hurried towards Lady Wang's residence, Qingwen quickly reminded him, "Baoyu, you've gone the wrong way! Chuan'er's mourning hall is in the lower courtyard!" "I know, why don't you go first? I'll be right behind you!" Baoyu replied without turning his head, gesturing for Qingwen not to follow.
A strange disappointment flickered in Qingwen's eyes, and a hint of resentment quietly rose in the young girl's heart. She had thought Baoyu was in a hurry to leave because of Jin Chuan'er, but it turned out he had other matters to attend to! Could Chuan'er's death for him be worth less than these trivial matters?!
Wait a minute! Baoyu's appearance last night was so frightening; it didn't seem like he was faking it! Besides, why would the dignified Second Master Bao need to fake it? A deep sense of bewilderment swept through Qingwen's mind. Her eyes, filled with doubt, stared at Baoyu's receding figure. The young woman glanced at the fork in the road, hesitated for a moment, then her innate curiosity prevailed. She immediately hurried after Baoyu, eager to see what important matter had changed his plans!
"Second Master, wait for me! I'll come with you!" Qingwen called out breathlessly as she ran to catch up.
Baoyu didn't care whether Qingwen followed or not. He had only one thought in his mind: to quickly convey his thoughts to his mother, a way of comforting the temporarily deceased Jin Chuan.
His quick steps didn't slow down at Qingwen's call; instead, they quickened. Although Baoyu had emerged from the shadow of defeat and was ready to defy fate with renewed vigor, the great changes he had experienced had robbed him of his desire for love. His only thought was how to revive Jin Chuan, to fight against heaven and against humanity with all his might!
"Mother, I have a request!" The moment Baoyu saw Lady Wang, he immediately knelt down with a thud. "If you don't agree, I'll never get up!" Lady Wang, who hadn't finished washing up, and Qingwen behind Baoyu were both startled, wondering what Baoyu was up to!
"What's wrong with you, child?" Lady Wang hurriedly helped Baoyu up, saying softly,
"Get up and say it. When have I ever refused your requests?!" "No, I'll say it kneeling," Baoyu firmly refused his "mother's" kindness, "I just want you to grant my request!" Chapter 106 Shocking Seeing Baoyu's state, Lady Wang feared he might have another bout of strange illness, so she had no choice but to go along with him, saying,
"Tell me, as long as I can do it, I will definitely agree!" "I want to marry Jin Chuan, to give her a proper title!" Baoyu's calm words instantly stirred up a storm in the hearts of Lady Wang and Qingwen.
The ancients valued reputation as much as people today value life! The beautiful woman objected without hesitation, "No, how can you marry a dead person? Wouldn't that make you a laughingstock in the whole capital?! How will you ever face anyone again?!" "Chuan'er risked her life for me, how could I care about empty fame?!" Baoyu knelt upright on the ground, his words unconsciously filled with deep sorrow.
The beautiful woman's kind heart was filled with sorrow upon hearing this, feeling a deep empathy. Her heart softened, and she wanted to agree, but then she thought of the strict and rigid Jia Zheng. She had to grit her teeth and wave her hand to wipe away her pity, "No, the Jia family's reputation cannot be ruined. If your father knew you married a dead person, and a maid at that, wouldn't he be furious?" "What does my marriage have to do with others? Why should I care what others think?!" Baoyu protested indignantly.
Hearing her son's shocking words, the beautiful woman paled. She reached out and carefully touched Baoyu's forehead, thinking he was delirious from illness! "My son, you are no ordinary person, you are a descendant of the Duke of Rongguo, the Second Master Bao of the Jia family!" "Mother, do you remember what I told you yesterday?" Baoyu's mind raced, and before Lady Wang could reply, he continued, "Jin Chuan was my savior, the immortal's words have indeed come true! Now that Chuan has died for me, how can I not give her a proper title?" "Alas!" The beautiful woman sighed sadly, deeply regretting Jin Chuan's death. "I know she was a good girl, but the ancestral rules cannot be changed. Under no circumstances can a servant become the Jia family's principal wife." "!" Qingwen, witnessing the mother and son's endless argument, was also struck by Baoyu's "shocking" words. She stood frozen, her mind replaying Baoyu's unwavering words. She repeatedly told herself, "He wants to marry Chuan'er! He actually dares to marry Chuan'er..." Lost in thought, Qingwen silently blessed the now-deceased Jin Chuan'er, "Good sister, your passing was not in vain. Baoyu was such a loyal and righteous man!" Lost in thought, the girl didn't realize that in that instant, Baoyu's handsome face was deeply etched into her heart, unforgettable for life! What was originally three parts helplessness, three parts fondness, and four parts habit had now transformed into a captivating, pure love. The door to her heart, which had only opened a crack, suddenly swung wide, opening only for Baoyu!
If Qingwen's previous affection for Baoyu was half due to him being the Second Master Bao, then now, whether Baoyu becomes iron or mud, she would surely remain devoted to him until death!
While the young girl's feelings were stirring, the mother-son argument finally came to an end!
Seeing that his mother, though still unyielding, clearly showed apology in her eyes, the "cunning" Baoyu immediately changed his tune, kindly offering Lady Wang a way out, "Mother, I'm willing to listen to your wishes, but if not a wife, could she at least be a concubine?" The worldly-wise "fake" Baoyu actually knew long ago that his request wouldn't be approved. Even if he persuaded his mother, he wouldn't get past the Old Madam and Jia Zheng. What he truly wanted was to make Jin Chuan a concubine; his previous suggestion of "making a wife" was merely a ruse.
Making a deceased maidservant a concubine was still an incredibly difficult matter, and proposing it rashly would be no less difficult than "making a wife." That's why the "fake" Baoyu went to such lengths!
"This..." The beautiful woman's face showed a look of deep thought. She felt uneasy, but the thought of Baoyu's previous insistence only fueled her fear. It was already a miracle he was willing to agree now; if she disagreed, things could go awry!
Thinking this, the beautiful woman's full face darkened slightly, her soft, undulating body arching back. In an instant, she made up her mind. "Alright! I'll make the decision to let you take Jin Chuan as your concubine. Are you satisfied now?" "Thank you, Mother!" Baoyu kowtowed deeply from the bottom of his heart.
"Silly child! If I don't love you, who else will I love?!" Madam Wang lovingly embraced Baoyu, gently wiping his reddened forehead with her jade-like hand.
A warm current flowed between them. Nestled in the beautiful woman's arms, Baoyu, for the first time, overcame his severe "Oedipus complex." His heart was free of any lewd thoughts; only the precious human affection warmed his lonely and sorrowful soul!
A biting cold current permeated the lower courtyard of the Jia family mansion, and endless gloom gathered on the huge paper flowers. Baoyu stood blankly in the mourning hall, speechless for a long time!
It was not yet dawn, and most of the servants except those who were keeping watch at the mourning hall were still asleep. Fengjie, who had been busy for half the night, could not hold on and had left before Baoyu arrived. Only Yuchuan and her parents were left alone beside Jinchuan's body!
Is this Chuan'er's fate?! A bitter, overwhelming feeling welled up in Baoyu's heart. His eyes reddened, and his voice, tinged with apology, he softly said to Yu Chuan and the others, "Would you please leave for a while? I want to be alone with Chuan'er for a bit!" Jin Fu, though Chuan'er's father, was also a loyal servant of the Jia family. Honest and kind, he wouldn't disobey Baoyu's wishes and led his family out of the mourning hall first.
Deeply grieving, Yu Chuan'er didn't want to leave her sister, but remembering the affection her sister had shown Baoyu in life, and seeing Baoyu's utterly heartbroken and haggard appearance, the girl, who had initially harbored resentment towards Baoyu for her sister's death, now saw his grief no less than her own. Her heart softened, and Yu Chuan'er's hatred for Baoyu, who had "killed" her sister, vanished!
"Good sister, let's go out!" Qingwen stepped forward to help Yuchuan, who had been kneeling for half the night, to her feet. Supporting her, whose knees were numb
, she slowly walked out. The sensible Qingwen gazed deeply at Baoyu, her eyes filled with emotion, before gently closing the mourning hall doors behind her. Chapter 107: The Adorable Ghost Messenger "Chuan'er, don't be afraid, get some sleep!" Baoyu's trembling hands gently caressed the lifelike face of Jin Chuan'er, his tender whispers careful not to disturb her sweet dreams. "Sleep! I'll wake you when you've had enough sleep, and then we'll have a grand wedding!" Carefully combing Jin Chuan'er's disheveled hair, his deepest emotions surged within him, finally overflowing from the wide-open gates of his heart, transforming into silent tears that drifted through the air, scattering across the desolate space.
"Don't worry, once you wake up, I will definitely marry you!" Baoyu's sorrowful gaze instantly changed, two sharp glints flashing in his eyes. His gentle words suddenly became powerful and resolute. "No one can stop my determination to save you, whether it's a god or a demon. I swear to heaven, I will kill any god who stands in my way, and slay any demon who stands in my way!" He paused slightly, then looked up at the sky with a furious expression. His deep roar sent shivers down one's spine. "To hell with fate! I will defy destiny and see what this so-called heaven can do to me!" The faint crowing of a rooster came from afar, startling Baoyu, who was filled with resentment and anger. Seeing that it was getting late, he wiped away the tears on his face and also wiped away the weakness in his heart. "Chuan'er, don't be shy!" Before the words "Strange" were even finished, Baoyu's large hand had already reached for the chest of the dead Jin Chuan'er. With nimble fingers, he had already skillfully unbuttoned Jin Chuan'er's clothes.
The cold morning breeze slipped in through the window cracks, just in time to witness this "ambiguous" scene. The well-traveled and worldly-wise Cold Wind exclaimed "Exciting!" Could this lecherous fellow be interested in a corpse...? The thought alone was unbearable. Cold Wind swirled around the mourning hall, causing the candlelight in the eternal lamp to flicker and dim.
Bao Yu, oblivious to nature's prying eyes, continued to untie Jin Chuan'er's bodice and last piece of her undergarment. Curious Cold Wind crept closer, drooling as it gazed at the exposed female corpse.
Strange, truly strange! Cold Wind gasped in astonishment. Having seen countless corpses, it was utterly astonished; it had never seen a corpse like this! Far from being stiff, bluish, or pale, the skin was even redder, smoother, and more alluring than that of a living person! The exclaiming how beautiful it was, Cold Wind suddenly understood. No wonder this lecherous fellow was "sexually" interested in a dead body!
Lost in thought, Baoyu was also secretly puzzled. He certainly didn't intend to desecrate his "sleeping" beloved. His large hand swiftly retrieved the "Spirit Jade" from his chest, and without hesitation, placed it between Jin Chuan'er's firm, soft breasts. He then quickly fastened the beauty's clothes, much to the displeasure of the lingering, cold wind!
"Who? Come out!" Baoyu suddenly turned and shouted sharply, his eyes filled with doubt as he looked towards the gate.
The cold wind, which had been circling wildly, was startled. Could someone see its invisibility? That would be wonderful! The invisible wind, lonely for countless millennia, almost cheered. But the sudden change shattered its dream!
"Eek!" A surprised voice echoed from the empty mourning hall, a deep, somber voice reverberating in the small space, "Can you see us?" Upon receiving the answer, Baoyu was even more startled. He hadn't expected that his inexplicable flash of inspiration would actually reveal the existence of "people," and more than one at that! Hadn't they seen what he was doing just now?!
"Are you all sneaking around here to steal the 'Spirit Jade' too?" Bao Yu's heart tightened. He hadn't expected the demons to return. He couldn't take the jade back, so he could only cling tightly to the girl's body, his face full of vigilance as he stared at the empty gate. Without Miao Yu to open his third eye, the poor fellow could only hear, not see!
"Spirit Jade? What's that?" Another equally deep voice suddenly rang out, speaking to Bao Yu with disdain: "What use are worldly things to us? Look at how nervous you are, show it to us!" Bao Yu, who was already on edge, couldn't help but scold himself for being so stupid. Wasn't he just asking for trouble?! Although he couldn't see the mysterious person's expression, he could tell from the doubtful words that the other party wasn't lying.
Just as Bao Yu's mind was slightly flustered and he didn't know how to answer, the previous voice inadvertently resolved his predicament.
"Ox-Head, you're at it again, let's get down to business!" Another mysterious figure replied irritably, "I know, it's just that this month's task isn't finished yet! Hey Horse-Face, what's with you? All you do is seduce souls. We've been doing this for hundreds of years since we took office, aren't you tired of it? It's rare to find such a fun mortal, might as well have some fun!" Perhaps already used to Ox-Head's rambling, Horse-Face remained silent and unresponsive to his complaints.
Bao-Yu, however, was sweating bullets. What kind of Ox-Head was this? So long-winded! When he heard the other say he wanted to play with him, Bao-Yu was terrified, his heart pounding, and he exclaimed inwardly, "My God! Is this Ox-Head gay?! How disgusting!"
A chill ran down Baoyu's spine, and a sudden realization dawned on him. He exclaimed in shock, "Ox-Head and Horse-Face! Could you be Ox-Head and Horse-Face from the Underworld?!" "Heh, heh..." Ox-Head chuckled before speaking, this time not displaying his "extraordinary" eloquence. "Kid, you're only just realizing this?" "What are you going to do?" Baoyu's heart tightened, and he instinctively stepped in front of Jin Chuan'er's body.
"Soul-stealing!" Horse-Face's concise words exploded in Baoyu's heart like a bolt from the blue.
Before Baoyu could react, Ox-Head, unable to contain himself, chimed in, "It's not like we're taking your soul, kid, what are you afraid of?" Baoyu was not pleased but alarmed. Besides himself and the two ghost messengers, only the recently deceased Jin Chuan'er remained in the room. In his panic, he wondered to himself, if Jin Chuan'er's soul were taken to the Underworld, could he still resurrect her? Although he couldn't see Jin Chuan'er's soul, he had to stop her from being captured no matter what!
"Don't even think about it!" Bao Yu stretched out his figure, his imposing body instantly surging with power, his bright eyes widening suddenly, staring intently at the empty space where the Ox-Head and Horse-Face stood.
Chapter 108 The Cigarette Strategy "Interesting!" Horse-Face's voice changed slightly for the first time, carrying a hint of mockery. "What, you mortal, do you think you can fight us?!" Bao-Yu clenched his fists, his wild aura rising wildly in an instant, and said decisively, "Of course—no!" In a sudden change of tone, Bao-Yu's aura transformed from a war god poised to strike into a sycophantic scholar, his fawning smile making Ox-Head and Horse-Face exchange bewildered glances. "How could I dare to fight with two immortals? You two are magnanimous, you won't hold a grudge against a mere mortal like me, will you?!" "Horse-Face, this kid has a sweet tongue. We've become immortals too, ha, ha..." The two ghost messengers rarely received such praise, and couldn't help but laugh happily.
"Great Immortal, you've worked hard. Have a cigarette and take a break!" Baoyu habitually took out the "Dream of the Red Chamber" brand cigarettes from his pocket. Only when he stretched out his hand did he realize that there was nothing in front of him. His hands, which did not know where to hand them, stiffened and stretched out!
"Cigarettes? What's that?" The ox-headed man, always eager for novelty, exclaimed excitedly. "You've got a lot of weird and wonderful things to offer, kid. First it was jade, and now it's 'cigarettes'! I've been bewitching souls for hundreds of years, and this is the first time I've encountered such an interesting fellow!" Upon hearing the word "play," Bao-yu still broke out in a cold sweat. He could only force a smile and fawn over the air. "Lord Ox-headed Man, this is the most popular thing in the human world these days. It came from the West!" With a change of heart, Bao-yu paused slightly and immediately added fuel to the fire. "You two gentlemen should know that your counterparts—the Western Grim Reapers—have long been smoking 'cigarettes,' so I specially brought them to offer to you two great immortals!" "Is that so? Then I'll try some!" Ox-headed Man was indeed delighted. He turned to Horse-face beside him and said, "I don't consider this embezzlement, do I?" Horse-face rolled his eyes at him helplessly and turned away, pretending not to hear.
Baoyu felt the cigarette in his hand flicker and fly away, hovering in mid-air. After a slight start, Baoyu quickly recovered, deftly pulling out a match and lighting a blue flame with a "snap." "Lord Ox-Head, this humble servant lights your cigarette!" A bizarre and comical scene unfolded: in the desolate and mournful mourning hall, the lamplight flickered in the cold wind, the lifelike deceased lay in the coffin, and a handsome young man murmured to himself, the wisps of smoke floating in the air, the young man bowing and nodding repeatedly towards it.
"Lord Ox-Head, the taste is not bad, is it?" Baoyu looked expectantly at the air.
"Hmm! Not bad!" A satisfied voice rang out, and Ox-Head nodded vigorously. It was his first time encountering this thing, and he was naturally excited and delighted!
"Then...would the two immortals spare Chuan'er's soul?" Baoyu muttered to himself, hoping he could bribe these two "greedy ghosts." Wasn't it said that one who takes a bribe is bound to be grateful?
"No!" The horse-faced demon, silent for a long time, coldly shattered Baoyu's illusions. The bull-headed demon, seeing his companion's serious expression, opened his mouth slightly but made no sound, only offering an apologetic look.
"You..." Baoyu's anger flared upon hearing this. He hadn't expected that even his humble efforts wouldn't change the two ghosts' minds. He was about to shout angrily when a gust of wind blew, and his angry face froze instantly. He couldn't speak or move, only his eyes darting anxiously back and forth!
"Start!" The horse-faced demon waved his hand, sending out invisible ribbons that bound the mischievous Baoyu.
"Alright!" Ox-Head took a few deep drags, finished his cigarette, and let out a long exhale. He then brandished the white chain in his hand, which, as if possessed, shot straight towards Jin Chuan'er's corpse.
The soul-snatching chain, hovering above the corpse, began to spin, its powerful suction accompanied by a faint golden light instantly enveloping the entire body!
"How could this be?!" A moment later, seeing that Jin Chuan'er's corpse showed no reaction, Ox-Head exclaimed in astonishment.
Horse-Face was equally astonished. He flicked his black chain, and two soul-snatching chains simultaneously hovered above Jin Chuan'er. Their combined soul-snatching power surged more than double, yet strangely, Jin Chuan'er's soul still did not appear!
"How strange!" The cautious Horse-Face said to Ox-Head, "Take a look at the official document issued by the judge. Is there any error? What is the origin of this Jin Chuan'er that makes her so strange?!" "Horse-Face, look, this document describes this woman, the time is correct, and in her previous life she was just a mortal, nothing extraordinary." Ox-Head handed the document to his companion, letting him confirm it himself.
After a moment, Ox-Head, who had a crush on Bao Yu, said, "Horse-Face, I think we should go back to the underworld and report to the judge first. Perhaps her soul has been taken away by a demon. Let's just consider her a wandering ghost!" Horse-Face pondered for a moment, seeing that Jin Chuan'er under the soul-snatching chain remained unchanged, he had no choice but to agree to Ox-Head's suggestion. With a stroke of his pen, another missing female ghost was added to the mortal realm!
With a surge of magical power, the two ghost messengers vanished underground, leaving behind the whisper of the ox-headed demon, "Boy, I've put in a good word for you; remember to get some extra cigarettes, I'll come back for you!" Baoyu's body went limp, and he let out a long breath, finally having sent the two ghost messengers away! Relieved, he wiped the cold sweat from his brow, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. What did the ghost messengers mean? Had Chuan'er truly become a wandering ghost?
What should he do? The old problem had barely been resolved when new worries immediately swirled in Baoyu's heart. No wonder people often say that three thousand worries cannot be washed away!
Lost in thought, Baoyu felt increasingly depressed. He subconsciously patted his chest to calm himself; a slight anomaly at his touch brought a flash of inspiration, and he involuntarily murmured to himself, "The Spirit Jade! It must be because of the Spirit Jade!" Chapter 109 Never Give Up on Yourself What a genius! Baoyu laughed triumphantly. This jade was truly a wonderful thing; no wonder the fairy sister wanted him to merge with it! It was fortunate that the two ghost messengers didn't know it was such a treasure; if they had snatched it, it would have been terrible, as he still needed it to save Chuan'er!
Thinking of this, Baoyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. In an instant, he made a perfect decision: the jade must be placed on Jin Chuan for three days and three nights, and he must stay by her side for three days and three nights, both to accompany Chuan'er and to protect the "Spirit Jade"!
"Second Master, Second Madam Feng has arrived. Should we open the door?" Qingwen's gentle voice sounded outside the door. The girl, her heart filled with longing, had been quietly waiting outside, her heart filled with sorrow and worry for the infatuated Baoyu.
Baoyu was startled from his reverie. He looked up at the light filtering through the crack in the door and realized that it was already broad daylight. The Jia mansion, silent all night, was now bustling with activity. "Come in, I'm alright!" With a creak, the door opened, revealing the alluring figures of Fengjie and Ping'er to Baoyu.
"Baoyu, don't be too sad. Go back and rest! We'll take care of things here!" Ping'er gently comforted Baoyu, but she herself couldn't help but shed tears. Having grown up with Jin Chuan and the others, she was very close to them. She couldn't believe that her good friends were separated by death overnight, and she was filled with grief and many emotions.
"Thank you, Sister Ping'er," Baoyu's calmness surprised everyone, and his words shocked them even more. "I'm not tired. I've decided to stay here with Chuan'er for three days, until her funeral!" "What?!" Yuanyang, who had rushed over, happened to hear Baoyu's words and exclaimed in unison with the other women, wondering if they had misheard!
"Second Master, I know your feelings for my daughter, but this will cause gossip! I can't let Master and Madam down," Jinfu, looking sorrowful, hurriedly tried to stop him, pleading with his loyal servant, "You should go back, otherwise Master will be angry when he returns!" "No!" Baoyu stepped forward and helped Jinfu, who was about to kneel before him, his firm words resounding, "I must stay here with Chuan'er for three days. Mother has already agreed to make Chuan'er a concubine!" No way! The women were shocked. The dignified Master Bao was actually going to take a dead maid as a concubine! This was utterly shocking for a prestigious family that valued reputation!
"Baoyu, are you having another episode? How could Madam agree?" Yuanyang could no longer contain her doubts and finally spoke to Baoyu for the first time in months. As she spoke, her face flushed, and she felt incredibly relieved. The huge weight that had been weighing on her heart had finally been shattered by Baoyu's "outrageous" act!
Unfortunately, Baoyu was too weary to seek love at that moment. He didn't notice the subtle affection in Yuanyang's beautiful eyes, only smiled faintly without answering. He then turned to look at the "sleeping" beauty and made a final decision: "Chuan'er, I will definitely bring you back to life!"
"Baoyu says it's all true!" Qingwen, seeing Baoyu standing there blankly for a long time, understood the situation and immediately recounted how Baoyu had pleaded with Madam Wang.
So that's how it was! The women suddenly understood, and a strange thought quietly rose in their hearts: Jin Chuan'er is so lucky!
Only Yuanyang, overwhelmed with emotion, felt a deep pang of sorrow. Baoyu's unintentional silence had pierced the young woman's heart. She felt as if the world had turned gray, and she muttered to herself, "You won't even speak to me? Did I hurt you so deeply that day? I only spoke in the heat of the moment. Can't you, a man, be a little more magnanimous? Or do you simply have no feelings for me at all?!" A thousand thoughts flashed through the strong-willed girl's mind in that instant, and the more she thought, the more heartbroken she became. Her newly awakened emotions were once again sealed by the barrier of her pride! "
Brother Bao, is this the right thing to do? You should reconsider!" Fengjie, who hadn't spoken for a while, wasn't feigning indifference. But seeing Baoyu's dejected and haggard face, the beautiful woman's heart immediately ached, her emotions churning uncontrollably. If it weren't for Ping'er's constant reminders, she didn't know what impulsive action she might have taken! The beautiful woman could only suppress her surging emotions with all her might, remaining silent for a long time.
Having finally regained some composure, Fengjie spoke, her watery eyes involuntarily filling with boundless affection, her deep concern like a net wrapping around her "enemy.
" "Sister Feng," Baoyu's unfocused gaze instantly blazed with intensity, mysteriously sensing the deep longing and care emanating from her heart, "I will never take back what I said, and I will never abandon my lover!" Baoyu's pointed words, accompanied by his burning gaze, simultaneously entered Fengjie's eyes, conquering her heart with an irresistible force, swirling around before transforming into warm affection that soothed the wounds in her heart!
Fengjie's delicate body trembled. The bitterness, sorrow, confusion, and anxieties brought on by months of suppressed true feelings were all reduced to ashes by Baoyu's words, leaving only the pursuit of true love, even if it meant being a moth drawn to a flame!
"Grandma, let's go arrange the funeral! It's getting light, and there are many things that need to be prepared!" The clever Ping'er, seeing the undisguised glances between her master and Bao Yu, and fearing others would discover their affair, immediately "helped" Feng Jie out of the mourning hall.
Bao Yu, seeing Ping'er's hurried figure, was slightly taken aback. A flash of understanding crossed his exceptionally intelligent eyes; it seemed this delicate young woman had discovered his affair with Feng Jie!
"Sister Ping, thank you!" Bao Yu thanked her loudly, then, with a meaningful look at Ping'er's slightly paused figure, said, "I've troubled you with my affairs, Sister!" "It's nothing! I will naturally do my best for our grandmother's affairs, Second Master, don't worry!" Ping'er turned back with a smile as she reached the door. Even though Bao Yu had no desire for her at that moment, his eyes lit up!
Their casual conversation went unnoticed, but Fengjie's beautiful face flushed crimson. The flustered woman secretly pinched Ping'er, inwardly regretting that she had confessed her true feelings to her under Ping'er's subtle probing!
Chapter 110 A Dream of Three Autumns The morning sun rose, time flowed on!
Just as Baoyu was vigilantly guarding Jin Chuan'er and the "Spiritual Jade," a mysterious change quietly occurred within the divine stone.
As the saying goes, "Containing Mount Sumeru within a mustard seed," the small divine stone contained an infinite space illuminated by shimmering, multicolored light. With subtle changes in the brilliant light, a faint white mist suddenly appeared and swirled within the space; a moment later, a semi-transparent figure materialized.
Jin Chuan'er, her three souls and seven spirits reunited, opened her bewildered eyes. The charming young girl was as beautiful and captivating as she had been in life. Her pure, beautiful eyes curiously surveyed her surroundings. After a moment, her mind jolted, and memories
of her past life surfaced one by one, instantly overwhelming the still somewhat dazed girl who had just "awakened" with grief! "I am dead!" Jin Chuan'er stared at the empty void beneath her feet, her floating soul pondering to herself, "Is this the underworld? Why isn't it like the eerie winds and mists, the ghosts and spirits described in the books? There are no Ox-Head and Horse-Face guardians to guide me!
" "I've died just like that!" The girl's face was pale. She wasn't afraid of death; dying for Bao Yu was a willing death for her. However, the thought of being separated from her beloved forever filled Jin Chuan'er with deep sorrow. Without her lover by her side, the world would lose all color; darkness would be the only constant!
"I don't want to die! I want to be with Baoyu!" Jin Chuan shouted, her heartfelt cries echoing through the space, moving heaven and earth. Unfortunately, this was a strange space, devoid of immortals or ghost messengers to fulfill the girl's "simple" wish!
"Baoyu, where are you? You are…" Losing her composure, Jin Chuan ran frantically, just as Baoyu had when he first arrived in the "Illusory Realm." But unlike Baoyu, she wasn't lucky. Even as she lay exhausted on the colorful clouds, no immortals came to guide her!
"Baoyu, I miss you so much!" Jin Chuan didn't know how long she had run; she only knew that even moving her fingers was difficult. Before collapsing in despair, the only thing the girl thought of was Baoyu—the Baoyu she deeply loved!
An irresistible weariness, accompanied by the colorful clouds, enveloped Jin Chuan's delicate body. In this "strange" place, her subconscious thoughts intertwined: Was she about to be annihilated?! Why did she still feel tired even after death? Why didn't I go to the underworld?
A thousand questions flashed through Jin Chuan'er's mind in an instant. Unable to hold on any longer, the beauty closed her eyes and silently made a beautiful wish to heaven—that she could always meet Bao Yu in her dreams while "sleeping"!
A sweet smile appeared on her pretty face. Under the control of an unknown force, the girl's soul finally lost consciousness. It was unknown whether her wish would be granted by heaven.
Years later, when the invincible man of the three realms asked his beloved what she feared most, she answered without hesitation: "Sleeping!" Hearing this, the man tenderly embraced her, saying, "Sleep peacefully! With me by your side, you will never sleep for three years in a row!" Inside the mourning hall of the Jia family's lower courtyard, Bao Yu looked at the crowds of mourners coming and going, and couldn't help but sigh at the importance of "status."
Because Jin Chuan was merely a servant, although news of her death had spread throughout the Jia household early in the morning, only her close friends came to pay their respects; even the servants themselves were few. However, just after noon, the quiet mourning hall became bustling with activity because of an altered memorial tablet.
At noon, Bao Yu's tense nerves began to tire, but he still refused to leave Jin Chuan's side.
"Brother-in-law, go and eat something first. I'll look after my sister!" Seeing the bloodshot eyes in Bao Yu's, Yu Chuan, her own eyes also red, felt a pang of heartache amidst her emotion.
"Brother-in-law?!" Bao Yu was slightly taken aback. His grief-stricken thoughts, slowed for a moment, finally came to his senses—wasn't Yu Chuan's brother-in-law himself?!
"Heh, heh..." Baoyu chuckled awkwardly, trying to find humor in his words. He looked down at the "sleeping" Jin Chuan and said with a smile, "Chuan'er, did you hear what your sister called me? — Brother-in-law, that sounds nice!" "Good sister, call me twice more!" Baoyu looked at Yu Chuan with a face full of joy, his serious gaze devoid of any teasing.
Alas! The girl felt no joy, only increased sorrow. She secretly wished that her sister could be alive and with Baoyu. After a sigh, to prevent Baoyu from being sad again, Yu Chuan forced a smile that was more like a grimace, and said "cheerfully" to Baoyu, "Brother-in-law, brother-in-law, is that enough?" "Yes!" Baoyu nodded with his eyes closed, feeling the joy brought by the word "brother-in-law" repeatedly in his heart. In his reverie, a flash of inspiration appeared in his mind. That's right, he seemed to have forgotten about this!
Without hesitation, Bao-yu's desolate figure suddenly sprang to life, and he strode energetically to Jin-chuan's memorial tablet. With
a swift movement, he grabbed the ordinary tablet. "What are you doing? Put it down! This will disturb my peace!" Yu-chuan, seeing this, was both anxious and pained. She thought Bao-yu's "strange illness" had relapsed due to his grief. The anxious girl rushed forward, but instead of snatching the tablet, she touched Bao-yu's forehead.
"I'm not sick," Bao-yu said with a light laugh, pushing Yu-chuan's hand away. His next action, however, sent the girl's heart leaping into her throat, and she couldn't help but gasp in surprise!
Ignoring Yu Chuan'er's attempts to stop him, Bao Yu bit his index finger hard. Blood gushed out with the intense pain, and as the girl's face paled, his bleeding finger began to rapidly trace characters on the memorial tablet.
One by one, crooked blood-red characters instantly covered the previous writing. Yu Chuan'er's attempts to stop him slowed down as the characters multiplied, until they disappeared completely!
The five large, blood-red characters, "My beloved wife, Jin Chuan'er," struck Yu Chuan'er's heart like a thousand-pound hammer. The girl felt as if everything in the world had vanished in an instant, leaving only those five blood-red characters, forged with true love, filling the entire world before her!
Chapter 111 Seducing the Brother-in-Law "Ouch! Why does it hurt so much?!" Baoyu's cry of pain startled the girl from her daze. Seeing Baoyu clutching his finger with a pained expression, Yuchuan couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache. Involuntarily, she clasped her hands together and grasped Baoyu's large hand in hers. Guided by an inexplicable thought, the girl unhesitatingly opened her lips and put Baoyu's bleeding index finger into her mouth to treat it!
The pain in his finger disappeared without a trace under the girl's sucking. Baoyu's long-suppressed tears also flowed freely under Yuchuan's tenderness. The silent tears opened his heart, which had been blocked by gloom. Overwhelmed with emotion, Baoyu's eyes blurred. Facing the pretty face before him that was exactly the same as Jinchuan's, he could no longer tell who was who!
"Mmm!" Yu Chuan let out a soft moan as Bao Yu pulled her into his arms. His strong embrace made it hard for the girl to breathe, and in that instant, a feeling of unprecedented happiness welled up within her. Yu Chuan's subconscious thoughts raced; no wonder her sister dreamed of being held by Bao Yu—the feeling in his arms was so wonderful!
The relentless cold wind couldn't dispel their tender emotions; ripples of affection quietly appeared between Bao Yu and Yu Chuan.
One was lost in thought, mistaking the city for a distant place; the other, moved by love, was immersed in its depths. Each lost in their own thoughts, they embraced deeply.
Bao Yu wished he could absorb "Jin Chuan" into his own body, so that their blood and flesh would forever intertwine, for all eternity, never to be separated!
"Chuan'er, you're back!" Tears of excitement soaked his clothes; the joy of "lost and found" filled Bao Yu with ecstatic murmurs.
The gentle whispers, like a bucket of cold water, jolted Yu Chuan'er back to her senses. The distraught girl suddenly pushed Bao Yu away, a faint bitterness welling up inside her. "He treated me like his older sister," she thought. "Shouldn't a younger sister be happy for her older sister? Why do I feel so sorrowful?! Have I fallen in love with my sister's man so quickly?"
This thought filled Yu Chuan'er with shame. She felt unable to face the "sleeping" Jin Chuan'er. A scene of public condemnation flashed before her eyes: "You shameless slut! Your sister has only been dead for a day, and you're already seducing her man in front of her body!" "Waaah!" Unable to bear the torment of her inner demons any longer, the girl let out a mournful cry, her body went limp, and she fled. Her sorrowful tears left a long trail in the air, and the heartbreaking grief returned to the mourning hall once more.
"Alas!" Baoyu didn't say anything to keep Yuchuan. Having regained his senses, he too was consumed by deep self-reproach. Although he knew Jinchuan was only temporarily "asleep," he couldn't shake the guilt in his heart. Even though he had mistaken Yuchuan for Jinchuan, a mistake was a mistake. Not wanting to shirk responsibility, Baoyu, like Yuchuan, was lost in thought, unable to find any words to comfort the grieving girl!
"What's wrong?" Several servants, busy with chores, saw Yuchuan running out crying. Curious, they rushed into the mourning hall to see what was happening. The memorial tablet written in Baoyu's blood immediately came into their view, leaving them speechless with shock!
The desolate mourning hall was transformed by a few words written in blood. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, news of Baoyu taking a concubine spread throughout the Jia family. Those who heard were shocked; some praised him, some scoffed, some were happy, some were jealous. But regardless of their feelings, they all shared one consensus: the Jia family had not lost an insignificant servant, but rather a beloved wife and concubine of the future head of the household had tragically died!
A continuous stream of people suddenly appeared in the mourning hall, and some even suggested moving the ceremony to the upper courtyard. Fortunately, the shrewd Fengjie understood Baoyu's intentions and dismissed the sycophants with a simple "Don't disturb the deceased!
" Status, position! Looking at the "sorrowful" crowd, Baoyu couldn't help but sigh inwardly. If he weren't the second young master of the Jia family, would these people even look at him with respect? And when the Jia family fell, how many would remain to weather the storm with their master?
Overwhelmed with emotion, Baoyu, after the upheaval, finally returned to reality. He resolved once again to accelerate the "Shi Yu" project; only in this way could he achieve a perfect outcome! From the Jin Chuan incident, he realized that perhaps his efforts could only change the process, not the ending. Therefore, he could only fully utilize the "Shi Yu" identity to create a new world after the unchanging fate!
Fate, no matter how cruel you are, I, the "fake" Baoyu, will never yield!
"Musk Moon, how is Xiren?" Qingwen, urged by Baoyu, had already returned to care for Xiren, leaving Musk Moon and Qiuwen with a moment to pay their respects to their good sister!
"Sister Xiren can speak again," Musk Moon said, her beautiful eyes filled with heartache as she saw Bao Yu's haggard face. "We've already told Xiren about Chuan'er's situation. She told you to focus on keeping vigil for Chuan'er and not to worry about her!" A deep sense of apology flashed in Bao Yu's eyes. His beloved was seriously injured and bedridden, yet he couldn't be by her side to care for her. His heart swelled with emotion, and Bao Yu almost got up to leave. But the thought was shattered when the image of the "Spirit Jade" appeared in his mind. Burdened with his responsibilities, he had no choice but to reluctantly abandon his plan. Impulsive, the divine stone was related to everyone's fate, and she could only make amends later. "You all must take good care of Xiren. I will go back to see her after three days!" "Okay!" Musk Moon nodded obediently, gazing at Bao Yu's bloodshot eyes with concern. "You should also rest more. I will definitely take good care of Sister Xiren!" Qiu Wen, who had been silent since entering the room, just stared blankly at the blood-written memorial tablet. Her heart was filled with mixed feelings, and her thoughts were in turmoil. She didn't know what to feel! All her thoughts turned into a faint bitterness and resentful jealousy. She was actually inferior to a dead Jin Chuan!
A black glint flashed in Qiu Wen's eyes. The magic of the "Mirror of Love and Lust" began to take root in the girl's heart, gradually covering up the girl's kindness and innocence. An inexplicable thought surged from Qiu Wen's sea of consciousness: Bao Yu is mine. I am the future mistress of the Jia family!
"Second Master, let me stay and help you take care of Chuan'er! Xiren has Qingwen and Sheyue to keep her company, we'll worry if you have no one to take care of you!" Qiuwen came to Baoyu's side like a little bird, her half-hearted concern making Baoyu and Sheyue completely unaware of her intentions!
Chapter 112 The Guardians of the Red Chamber "Baoyu, Qiuwen is right, look at you now, Sister Xiren will be heartbroken to see you like this! Let Qiuwen stay and keep you company." How could the simple-minded Sheyue understand Qiuwen's complicated thoughts? Even if she could guess that Qiuwen wanted to take the opportunity to gain Baoyu's favor, the kind-hearted girl probably wouldn't stop her, she would only silently wish her good friend well!
"Alright!" Baoyu thought for a moment and then agreed to Qiuwen's request. Although he didn't love Qiuwen, he did like her a little. Seeing her sad face, he couldn't bear to refuse her, and besides, with her here to keep him company, he would have fewer wild thoughts!
An hour had passed in the blink of an eye. With Qiuwen's help, Baoyu was indeed much more relaxed. She single-handedly dealt with all the stewards from inside and outside the Jia family who came to pay their respects. Her fluent and articulate conversation made Baoyu secretly sigh. He had really underestimated Qiuwen before. He hadn't expected her to have such social skills! The Jia family was truly a place where dragons and tigers hid!
Usually, all the internal and external affairs in Yihong Courtyard were handled by Xiren. Qiuwen, who rarely had the opportunity to show off, finally had this chance. Of course, she wanted to make a big show of herself in front of Baoyu. Although the girl was panting heavily from exhaustion, her heart was filled with excitement and joy, and her spirits were high!
"You're tired!" Seeing that the crowd was thinning, Baoyu tenderly brewed a cup of fragrant tea for Qiuwen and handed it to her.
Qiuwen was slightly taken aback. In an instant, she felt a warm current surge from the bottom of her heart. Her tired body trembled slightly under the warmth. The teacup in her hand was so warm! At this moment, the girl forgot her sorrow and jealousy; only a magical surge of heat welled up in her eyes, turning into silent tears of excitement!
"What's wrong?" Baoyu hadn't expected his ordinary action to elicit such a strong reaction from the girl, his eyes filled with concern and confusion! Little did he know that in this era of strict hierarchy, how could a master serve tea and water to a servant?! Especially not the esteemed Second Master Bao—the future head of the Jia family!
"Nothing!" Qiuwen downed her ordinary tea in one gulp, savoring its sweetness like nectar! Her resolve to win Baoyu's heart only strengthened!
In the evening, Bao Yong and Ni Er appeared before Baoyu. They had been secretly training the "Dream Mansion" guards outside, and although they had received word of it earlier, knowing Baoyu's character, they insisted on completing their training before coming to pay their respects!
Two burly men knelt side by side on the prayer mat, respectfully kowtowing three times to their never-before-seen mistress. They then rose and approached Baoyu. "Second Master, please accept my condolences!" Baoyu's appreciative gaze swept over them. Ni Er had long since shed his roguish air; his rugged face now exuded a heroic spirit, clearly that of a loyal and valiant general. Bao Yong, already possessing an imposing presence, had become increasingly unassuming, his sharpness concealed, only the occasional glint of shrewdness in his eyes revealing his formidable strength.
A smile of satisfaction appeared on Baoyu's lips. It seemed both men's martial arts had greatly improved, making his large sum of money spent hiring martial arts instructors worthwhile.
"How is the training progress, brothers?" Baoyu gestured for them to sit down.
Following their wise master, Bao Yong and Ni Er had also acquired some of his heroic spirit. After a respectful bow, they didn't ramble on, naturally sitting below Baoyu and humbly recounting their training progress.
Upon hearing the encouraging progress, Baoyu's gloom dissipated considerably. "You mean the guard team will be ready to graduate next month?" "Reporting to Second Master, this is the result of the joint assessment by the ten instructors. I dare not exaggerate!" Ni Er looked at his benefactor with admiration in his eyes.
Bao Yu closed his eyes slightly, pondered for a moment, and once again reviewed the cigarette business in his mind. Combining this with the news from the border, he made a decision instantly. "Go back and select fifty clever brothers. Instruct them to go to the major seaports as soon as possible. As long as they don't waste money, give them as much as they want. Make sure they become familiar with both the legitimate and criminal circles in the area before the end of the year. If they can establish connections with Western merchants, that would be a great achievement!" He paused slightly, thought for a moment, and then said again, "The rest of the brothers continue training. The more strength they have, the more chances they have to survive. I don't want my brothers to die needlessly. Do you understand?" Although Bao Yong and Ni Er didn't know why their master wanted to send people to distant seaports, the two loyal men immediately searched their minds for suitable candidates.
"Second Master, is there anything else you need? If not, I'll take my leave!" Bao Yong stood up respectfully, ready to return to the base to carry out his duties.
Seeing his two capable subordinates so eager, Baoyu couldn't help but smile happily. Then, a thought struck him: he still needed their help with Jin Chuan'er's matter. "Don't rush," he said, "you must be careful in choosing your subordinates; loyalty is the first requirement!" Turning to Qiuwen, who was standing nearby, Baoyu spoke frankly, "You stand guard at the door for a while. No one can come in without my permission. I have some private matters to discuss with them." "Okay!" Qiuwen replied cheerfully, her steps light as she left. Although Baoyu had essentially sent her away, his honest and frank words showed he didn't consider her an outsider. The thought of her being "one of his own" filled the young woman with sweet joy and delight.
"Please give your orders, Second Master! We swear to do our utmost!" Seeing Bao Yu's serious demeanor, Bao Yong and Ni Er assumed their master had entrusted them with an extremely dangerous task. Overwhelmed with gratitude, they felt no fear, only a desire to solve Bao Yu's problem. Whether for good or evil, their unwavering loyalty would not falter.
"Get up quickly," Bao Yu said kindly, helping the two men to their feet. Bao Yong and Ni Er initially resisted, but to their surprise, Bao Yu's long, slender, white hands possessed incredible strength. He lifted both of them, one in each hand, and despite their intensive internal strength training, their instinctive resistance was no match!
Second Master was incredibly powerful! Bao Yong and Ni Er exchanged a surprised and delighted glance, their admiration growing even stronger. Their already fierce loyalty had escalated to blind devotion! Their minds raced with thoughts; perhaps Master Shi was also a hidden master, otherwise, why would that incredibly powerful expert have submitted to him last time?! Following such two masters, he would not only gain prestige and prestige in the future, but might even learn extraordinary skills!
Chapter 113 A Top Secret Baoyu saw through their undisguised gazes and chuckled inwardly. He was truly clueless about being a "master"! He
used his magic to envelop the space where the three of them were, preventing outsiders from hearing their movements. Although only Qiuwen was at the door, he didn't suspect the girl, but given the gravity of the matter, Baoyu instinctively restricted his words to the three of them. "Tomorrow morning, you two will buy a large courtyard for Master Shi in a quiet place in the city. Price is not an issue, but remember, never force a sale. Exercise caution above all else." This was considered a major matter?! The two loyal subordinates, already prepared to die, never expected it to be such a trivial matter!
Surprised, they saw their master's lips part again, their hearts tightening instantly. They secretly guessed that something important was about to happen! Bao Yong and Ni Er, their ears perked up, involuntarily clenched their fists, prepared to face any danger.
Bao Yu, in a low, mysterious voice, revealed the most important "major matter," concluding with a reassurance to his two capable subordinates, "This is difficult for you!" How could this be?! The two burly men were instantly dumbfounded, wondering if they had misheard. But their companion's distorted face forced them to accept this "cruel" reality.
Good heavens! Their master actually wanted them to secretly dig up a grave with him—the grave of their recently deceased mistress! Had he gone mad with grief?
Bao Yu's calm expression refuted their suspicions. His next words jolted them, and they dared not entertain any further thoughts. "This matter is of utmost importance. You need not ask any more questions. Just know that no fourth person in this world is allowed to know!" He paused slightly, and to emphasize their seriousness, his tone turned cold. "If anyone accidentally stumbles upon our whereabouts, you two must silence them. Do you understand?!" "Yes, sir!" Bao Yong and Ni Er realized that their master was not joking. Although the matter was "strange," their master had his reasons for not speaking. The two loyal men immediately made this the most important secret of their lives, something they would never reveal, even if they were taken to the underworld!
Watching his two subordinates disappear into the distance, Baoyu relaxed and leaned back in his wide chair. He turned his head and gazed affectionately at the lifelike Jin Chuan, thinking to himself, "Everything is arranged. Chuan'er, just wait to reunite with us in our new home!"
If Jin Chuan's transformation from servant to mistress attracted a constant stream of worshippers, then the argument between Grandmother Jia and Baoyu was enough to shake the entire Jia family, leaving over a thousand people in the household deeply shocked. As
the sun set and the moon rose, and the lamps were lit, Baoyu's words about "three days" finally drew the attention of the Jia family's masters, who offered their advice and reconciliation.
"Baoyu, my son, you should come back with me!" The old lady, surrounded by Lady Wang, Li Wan, and the other women, arrived at the mourning hall. Her kind face held a mixture of confusion and concern. "You've always been everyone's precious darling, how can you endure this suffering?!" Baoyu stepped forward to help the old lady sit at the head of the table. "Grandma, there's food and drink here, and Qiuwen is serving me. I don't feel any hardship at all, so please don't worry!" Lady Wang looked at her son with affection and devised a compromise. "Baoyu, let Qiuwen and the other maids keep vigil for you. That way, you'll have fulfilled your duty!" "Yes! Brother Bao, this is the custom in wealthy families!" Li Wan sincerely praised Baoyu's loyalty and sense of duty, but deep down, she didn't quite agree with the pampered Baoyu keeping vigil there.
Before Baoyu could respond, the three sisters of Chun also echoed in unison. Although the three girls were beautiful and intelligent, they had grown up in wealthy families and inevitably had some sense of hierarchy. They were very puzzled by Baoyu's actions.
For the first time, neither the stunningly beautiful Daiyu nor Baochai echoed their best friend's words. Daiyu, seemingly a fairy fallen to earth, was naturally passionate, her heart filled with astonishment at Baoyu's actions. She hadn't expected him to be such a devoted person. A strange warmth emanated from her delicate frame, and a subtle, captivating glint flashed in her deep, beautiful eyes.
Baochai, her radiant face bearing a serene smile, felt a surge of approval upon hearing Baoyu's words and actions. Wasn't Baoyu's behavior a reflection of her own innermost thoughts during those midnight dreams? A resolute thought swirled in Baochai's mind, finally finding its answer to a long-held, hesitant idea.
Beneath her calm exterior, Baochai's thoughts were in turmoil. She only hoped that Baoyu would persevere, so that she could, following his example, gain the courage to break free from her confinement! The beautiful woman secretly supported Baoyu spiritually, reminding him that happiness is something one must strive for. Baochai, no longer wanting to be a caged bird, only longed for wings to realize her dreams, to fly freely towards the happiness she believed in!
Baoyu calmly accepted everyone's care and advice. Without uttering a word, he unexpectedly did something astonishing when everyone paused for a moment. With a "thump," his tall figure knelt before Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang.
"Grandmother, Mother, I know you mean well," Baoyu said, raising his head to gaze at the two women. His bright, star-like eyes instantly filled with a childlike longing. He then changed the subject, "Please listen to what I have to say!" Seeing that the women had finally stopped talking at his request, Baoyu waved his hand, stopping Yuanyang from helping him up. "I am not an unreasonable person, and I would never do anything to disgrace the family! Chuan'er is now in my quarters, and is considered a mistress of the house. It is only right and proper for me to accompany her!" His voice trailed off. Suddenly, Baoyu's words became agitated. "Chuan'er died for me. If I ignore her and treat her as an ordinary person, that would be unrighteous. We love each other and have already obtained Mother's consent. If I don't spend these three days with her, that would be heartless! Grandmother, do you want your Yu'er to be a heartless and unrighteous person?!" "This..." The old lady unconsciously agreed with Baoyu's words in her heart. Seeing that Lady Wang beside her nodded to indicate that Baoyu's words were indeed true, Grandmother Jia could only sigh and helplessly give up her own idea.
Chapter 114 The Spoiled Princess "Alright! I certainly wish you were a person of understanding and loyalty," Grandmother Jia stepped forward to help Baoyu up, patting his head affectionately. "Besides, what you've said makes perfect sense. Alright! I won't try to persuade you anymore!" She paused slightly, then said with concern, "This place is so simple, drafty, and leaky. Qiuwen probably can't manage alone. Let Yuanyang take care of you here! That girl is very skillful and understanding; I can only feel at ease with her here!" Upon hearing this, Yuanyang, standing to the side, trembled slightly. Remembering her awkwardness with Baoyu, the young girl wanted to refuse, but the words caught in her throat as a sudden surge of joy changed her tone. "Don't worry, Grandmother, I will take good care of her!" Baoyu, sharing Yuanyang's sentiments, also wanted to refuse, not wanting to embarrass the girl. However, seeing the old lady's serious expression, he feared she wouldn't agree unless he did. Plus, Yuanyang had spoken first, so Baoyu, slightly taken aback, could only agree with a mixture of doubt and joy.
The moon was high in the sky, and the noisy mourning hall finally returned to calm after a day of commotion. However, the desolation and sorrow had been washed away by the flow of people. The grief in Baoyu's heart, though seemingly carefree, had transformed into a deep longing, forever etched in his mind, constantly spurring him on to strive tirelessly for Jin Chuan's resurrection!
With the departure of the Jin Fu couple, only Baoyu, Qiuwen, Yuanyang, and the troubled Yu Chuan remained in the mourning hall.
Yuanyang had so much to say, but her strong pride prevented her from speaking. She could only hope that Baoyu, with his magnanimous heart, could dissolve the hateful barrier between them!
Qiuwen thought she finally had a chance to be alone with Baoyu, but Yuanyang's intervention ruined her "good time," leaving her listless and unwilling to speak.
Yuchuan's feelings were even more complicated. The "ambiguity" of the daytime made her feel deeply guilty, ashamed to face her recently deceased sister, and even more afraid to confront the "hateful" Baoyu. Yet, her deep sisterly affection compelled Yuchuan to come to the mourning hall. There, she stared at the flickering eternal flame, not daring to lift her head, let alone laugh and talk freely with Baoyu!
Although Baoyu's grief had eased somewhat, as night fell, his mind became tense, preoccupied with the "Spirit Jade." His wary gaze darted around, fearing some monster might suddenly leap out of the room!
The four, each lost in their own thoughts, maintained the silence of the mourning hall. Time passed silently as always, but for different reasons, the four living people all felt that time was moving incredibly slowly!
Looking around, Baoyu, being an extraordinary man, broke the discordant silence among them. With a quick thought, he calmly made reasonable arrangements, "Qiuwen, you've had a long day, go to sleep first! Get up after midnight to exchange with Yuanyang." "As for Yuchuan?" Baoyu hesitated for a moment, "These are your sister's last few days in the mortal world, so you stay with her. But if you get tired, rest immediately!" He paused slightly, then closed his eyes to rest, thinking to himself, what's meant to happen will happen, why should I be so paranoid? The
dawn suddenly appeared on the horizon, and the anxious Baoyu finally passed his first sleepless night. He breathed a sigh of relief, only then realizing how much he had worried about the "Spirit Jade"! He hadn't paid much attention to it when it was around, but once it was gone, he felt an intense attachment! No wonder the saying goes:
distance makes the heart grow fonder! Baoyu's idle thoughts drifted; it seemed he had fallen in love with this jade! Hehe... The night passed peacefully and quietly. The tense Baoyu was unaware that beneath the seemingly unchanged night, undercurrents were surging. If it weren't for the sturdy embankment of Wuzhuang Temple standing guard against evil spirits, the cataclysmic events he imagined would truly unfold!
Early birds flew from their nests, looking around for delicious insects. Suddenly, a strange bird flew overhead, creating a faint gust of air as it swooped away. The little bird was secretly surprised; it had gotten up so early, yet this enormous, deformed creature was even earlier. Had it not slept all night?!
Miaoyu, mistaken for a bird because she was walking on air, naturally couldn't understand a bird's thoughts. Her slightly weary figure, having guarded the place all night, flew straight towards Longcui Nunnery!
The evil spirits Baoyu had anticipated did not appear, but unexpected rumors spread throughout the capital overnight—the second young master of the Jia family had not only taken a dead servant as a concubine, but also intended to keep vigil for her for three days. Such a shocking act naturally could not escape the gossip of aunts and uncles!
Those who were indifferent merely laughed it off, treating it as idle chatter; those who were interested, however, were deeply moved, finding suitable pretexts for both kind mourning and malicious probing. At
the Prince of Bei Jing's residence,
Shui Rong, feeling refreshed after breakfast, was inspired to paint. She hurried to her study to spread out paper and grind ink. Just as she began to paint, the closed door was suddenly flung open by a boisterous figure.
With a loud "bang," the startled Shui Rong's paintbrush trembled, the distorted ink instantly shattering his sudden inspiration. Stunned by this "blow," Prince Bei Jing felt a surge of heat in his head, and flames of anger began to burn in his wide-open eyes.
"You…," he began, swallowing the word before he could utter it, his mind racing. He had almost provoked the panting "devil" before him! The
growing flames of anger vanished instantly, and Shui Rong asked the newcomer with a cautious smile, "Sister, what brings you here so urgently?" Beneath his "happy" smile lay a prayer that the "devil" wouldn't conjure up any strange or bizarre ideas to torment him!
Princess Tianyi, her face flushed, took a few deep breaths to calm her racing breaths, but her excitement still hadn't subsided. "Brother, let's go! I rushed all the way from the palace to find you!" Shui Rong was clearly used to his sister's abrupt way of speaking and patiently asked, "You have to tell me where you're going to play so I can prepare!" Chapter 115 Adorable Tianyi "It's not playing!" Princess Tianyi rolled her adorable crescent-shaped eyes at Shui Rong, "I'm asking you to go pay respects!" "Pay respects?!" Shui Rong couldn't help but smile wryly. It seemed his spoiled "adorable" sister had gotten tired of everything and had even thought of playing with dead people! Shui Rong didn't think it was some prince or minister who had died; if that were the case, Princess Tianyi probably wouldn't even be interested in taking a look!
"Sister Wang, what's so fun about dead people?" Shui Rong didn't want to play along with Princess Tianyi's folly, so he deliberately used a low, seductive tone to say, "I've recently collected some good things from the West. Shall we go take a look?" Unfortunately, his usually very effective "trick" failed this time. Princess Tianyi pouted her pretty cherry lips and said coquettishly, "I'm not playing around this time. I'm really going to pay respects to the dead. I'm going to the Jia family, where someone died yesterday!" "You mean Baoyu's place?" Shui Rong suddenly realized. Since their pleasant meeting, the two had become very close, and their way of addressing each other had naturally become more intimate.
"Yes!" Princess Tianyi nodded heavily, her round face radiating anger, adding,
"It's that brat who jumped over my sedan chair on horseback last time. I heard he actually made a dead servant his concubine. I wanted to see what this arrogant and rude fellow looked like, daring to give me such a fright!" "Sister, a concubine of the Jia family has died. It's not appropriate for us to go and pay our respects. Let's forget it!" Shui Rong thought to himself with a smile. So this spoiled sister hasn't forgotten the "arrogant and rude" Bao Yu! It seems my brother is in trouble this time!
Thinking of this, Prince Bei Jing couldn't help but chuckle. He and the other princes had been "tortured" by the sister for over a decade. Now that she had shifted her target, should he "go with the flow" and help her out? Heh, heh... But that seems a bit unfair to Brother Bao. The sister has the face of an angel but the heart of a "witch," a woman who can kill without consequence!
"I don't care! Who told you to be friends with him? If I don't ask you to lead the way, who else should I ask?" Princess Tianyi's slender and beautiful body twisted defiantly. "If you don't agree, I'll..." The spoiled princess said, reaching into her bosom.
"No, no..." Shui Rong hurriedly pleaded, "Good sister, I'll listen to you, okay?" "Brother is so kind!" Princess Tianyi didn't forget to praise her brother after her threat, revealing a lovely smile before quickly walking towards the door. "I'll go change my clothes now, we'll meet at the gate!" "Sigh!" Prince Bei Jing only dared to let out a heavy sigh after Princess Tianyi disappeared. He might as well play along with her madness! I hope Brother Bao can hold on a few more days, so we brothers can have a few more days of peace and quiet, hehe... Sixteen years ago, the Empress Dowager fell seriously ill, and the doctors were helpless. The filial Emperor could only grieve and prepare for his mother's funeral. Just as the Empress Dowager was on her deathbed, the Crown Prince's Empress gave birth to a daughter. Coincidentally, the Empress Dowager's strange illness miraculously disappeared without any medicine. The Emperor, overjoyed at this double blessing, believed that the birth of his youngest daughter was Heaven's way of saving his mother, and thus named her Princess "Tianyi" (Heaven's Will). The Empress
Dowager, now healthy again, doted on little Tianyi. On her sixth birthday, she personally bestowed upon her a jade tablet representing her status as Empress Dowager, as a sign of her affection. This tablet was extraordinary; seeing it was like seeing the Empress Dowager! Not only could it command officials, but even members of the royal family had to kneel and kowtow, otherwise it would be a grave offense of disrespect.
The naturally lively Tianyi grew up amidst boundless pampering. After acquiring the jade pendant, she became even more invincible and reckless. Fortunately, her kind nature prevented her from committing any truly evil deeds, though it left her older brothers both amused and exasperated, leading them to privately call her a "witch." Even her brother, who had been on the throne for ten years, was helpless against her and avoided her whenever possible, since their ancestor, the Grand Empress Dowager, was still alive! With the old lady backing Tianyi up, even the Emperor had to show her some fear!
The decadent sounds of stringed instruments drifted from the luxurious Qianhu Mansion. Inside the spacious and opulent hall, cups and plates were scattered, and several men chased after a half-naked dancer, their lewd laughter filling every corner of the room.
"Qianhu, I have something to report!" A cautious voice sounded from outside the door. The person speaking, trembling with fear, silently prayed that their capricious master wouldn't punish them! Because his master was not allowed to be disturbed while he was enjoying himself, and he had also given orders that any news about the Jia family must be reported immediately, or else be executed! The poor Jinyiwei spy could only nervously approach the door, secretly cursing his bad luck for being on duty today!
"Hmph!" Zhao Quan immediately flew into a rage, shoving aside the naked woman in his arms, and rushed to the door in disheveled clothes. "Damn it, how dare you spoil my fun!" Before he finished speaking, Zhao Quan raised his foot to kick his foolish subordinate.
"My lord, spare my life!" The spy hurriedly knelt on the ground, kowtowing and begging for mercy. "I have news about the Jia family, otherwise, even if I had the guts of the heavens, I wouldn't dare to disturb your enjoyment!" "Speak quickly!" Zhao Quan's expression changed, and he finally withdrew his foot from his subordinate's kick. The four great families were always a thorn in Zhao Quan's side. Although he had tried his best, what he had was still not enough to kill them!
Unaware that his scheme had been discovered by Baoyu, Zhao Quan didn't want to alert the enemy. The four great families were deeply entrenched, and if he couldn't uproot them completely, he would suffer a powerful backlash. While the Zhou Bapi incident hadn't significantly impacted Zhao Quan's power, the Jia family's mystery and strength were enough to make them take notice, forcing them to rearrange their plans.
Seeing Zhao Quan whispering with his men outside, the two men inside lost interest in their lewd activities. With a wave of their hands, they dismissed the dozen or so courtesans.
"Brother Zhao, what important matter could have kept you from teaching him a lesson?" Sun Shaozu asked, pointing angrily at the departing scout.
"Ha, ha..." Zhao Quan chuckled before speaking, patting "Zhongshan Wolf" on the shoulder. "Brother Sun, it's nothing major, but Jia Baoyu lost one of his concubines, and this spendthrift is insisting on keeping vigil for three days. Now the whole city knows." He paused slightly, then downed his wine in one gulp, his face beaming with undisguised joy. "This Jia Baoyu truly lives up to his name as a 'playboy'! But the more useless he is, the more we like him, right?" "Yes, that's right! Cheers to the Jia family for producing such a great waste!" Sun Shaozu's thick, dark eyebrows danced with excitement, his otherwise handsome face wreathed in a lewd smile. "I've long heard that the Jia family is overflowing with beauties, even their maids and servants are stunningly beautiful, more so than many young ladies from noble families. If we succeed in overthrowing the Jia family, you and I, brothers, will divide these women into three, what do you say?" "Excellent! Excellent! General Sun, what a great suggestion!" The middle-aged man, who had been sitting silently with a thoughtful expression, slammed his hand on the table in excitement, as if the Jia family women were already in his grasp. If Baoyu were here, he would surely recognize him as the sorcerer who had transformed into Xiren's face—Xiongshan Jun!
Zhao Quan raised his glass again, confidently saying, "With a divine being like you, Layman, assisting us, what are we worried about failing?! Cheers!" "Brother Sun," Zhao Quan said smugly, "I have an idea," he continued, "Your Sun family and the Jia family are old friends. Why not take this opportunity to visit the Jia family, investigate their background, and see if the Jia family's beauties are truly as rumored!" The ferocious and violent Zhongshan Wolf's eyes gleamed with greed upon hearing this, and he burst into boisterous laughter, "Ha, ha…that's right!" "Ah, Brother Zhao is truly remarkable! How could I not have thought of that?" "Then we wish General Sun a great success on his journey," Xiong Shanjun said with a generous smile. "It's getting late, I'll head back to my residence first, and we'll meet again when General Sun returns!" Before he finished speaking, Xiong Shanjun clasped his hands in a salute, once again demonstrating his supernatural powers before Zhao Quan and Sun Shaozu. A cloud of black mist suddenly appeared, enveloping Xiong Shanjun's figure. In an instant, a gentle breeze arose, and the mist and Xiong Shanjun vanished before their eyes.
Zhao Quan and Sun Shaozu watched in admiration, utterly awestruck by the immortal's abilities. They simultaneously touched the "divine talisman" bestowed upon them by the immortal, a powerful confidence of invincibility welling up within them. However, they failed to see the strange black glint that flashed in their eyes!
The magnificent imperial palace had always been a forbidden zone for normal men, but since the current emperor became obsessed with immortality, this tradition of thousands of years had finally been broken.
Five years ago, the emperor, obsessed with immortality, disregarded the opposition of his court officials and, with the support of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, embarked on a massive construction project to build an incomparably luxurious mansion for the Imperial Preceptor within the palace. The current Imperial Preceptor, Master Whirlwind, who claimed to be the reincarnation of an "Arhat," thus became the second normal man in the palace!
A cool breeze swept past the gatekeeper eunuch and swiftly drifted into the Imperial Preceptor's mansion.
Xiong Shanjun, who had recently disappeared, withdrew his magic and revealed his true form before Master Whirlwind. The mysterious figure he had been in Zhao Quan's residence vanished; now, Xiong Shanjun lay prostrate on the ground like a lapdog, even less respectable than Zhao Quan's spy! "This humble servant greets Your Majesty!" "Foolish!" The "high monk," who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes slightly closed, suddenly glared at Xiong Shan Jun with a sharp light, rebuking him with barely concealed anger. "I've said it many times already, I am not the Whirlwind King, I am the Whirlwind Master, the reincarnation of a Western Arhat; and you are not the White Bear Spirit, you are the Daoist Xiong Shan Jun, remember that?" "It was a moment of confusion on my part, please forgive me, Grand Preceptor!" In his haste, Xiong Shan Jun had revealed their identities. Fearful, he subconsciously touched his forehead, the damp sweat revealing his tension and fear.
"How is the matter I asked you to handle? Have you obtained the divine stone?" The Whirlwind Demon Monk's nimble prayer beads paused slightly, his gaze unfathomable as he stared at the uneasy Xiong Shan Jun.
"This humble monk...this humble monk..." Cold sweat streamed down his face, Xiong Shan Jun stammered, unable to speak.
"Failed?!" Whirlwind asked Xiong Shanjun with an affirmative tone, his calm face revealing neither joy nor anger, yet it only intensified Xiong Shanjun's fear.
"Grand Preceptor, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!" Xiong Shanjun's face instantly turned pale, and in his extreme terror, he instinctively addressed Master Whirlwind as "Your Majesty."
Whirlwind gently waved his long, slender hand, and an irresistible force lifted the trembling Xiong Shanjun to the ground, unexpectedly comforting him, "What are you afraid of? I didn't say I was blaming you. With the Five Villages Temple and the Taoist priests of the Great Wilderness Mountain blocking your way, and you unable to reveal your whereabouts, it's been a bit difficult for you!" The Whirlwind Demon Monk gave Xiong Shanjun an encouraging smile, "Go down first. Be careful, think of some good ideas, we'll have our chance!" Seeing his subordinate's respectful figure disappear, Whirlwind King's peaceful eyes suddenly flashed with a burning greedy light, secretly thinking, "Divine Stone, oh Divine Stone! When will I be able to hold you in my hands?!"
A gentle breeze blew, and somber music filled the air. Surrounded by three "mute girls," Baoyu felt increasingly uncomfortable. He glanced at one, then at the other, his mind weary and unable to ease the awkward atmosphere. He only hoped these crucial three days would pass quickly and peacefully.
Just as he was listlessly drifting off to sleep, a servant rushed in, jolting him awake.
"Second...Master," the servant reported, clearly having run all the way, breathless,
"Prince Bei Jing...has come to pay his respects. The Old Madam specifically ordered...I've come to inform you, Second Master, to prepare!" Baoyu was slightly taken aback, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. He thought to himself, "Why is Prince Bei Jing here? Given his status, he shouldn't be at my concubine's funeral!" The naturally carefree Baoyu was overjoyed. It seemed he had made the right friend; this Shui Rong truly didn't adhere to worldly conventions—a real brother!
Baoyu, whose casual demeanor had returned to its upright posture, hurried to the entrance of the mourning hall, eagerly awaiting his arrival. The overjoyed young man was unaware that this was the beginning of his "suffering"! Not only that, but the beginning of a "suffering" that would never end!
"Brother Bao, I've come uninvited!" Shui Rong bowed apologetically, but his apology wasn't for his intrusion, but rather for the handsome young man beside him.
Chapter 117 The Child Prostitute and the Dead Rabbit The unsuspecting Baoyu smiled sincerely and stepped forward to warmly embrace Shui Rong, saying, "Brother, why are you being so polite this time? We're brothers, there's no need for such formalities." Before Prince Bei Jing could respond, a clear but impolite voice abruptly interrupted their joyful gathering, "You're Jia Baoyu?!" Princess Tianyi, disguised as a man, scanned Baoyu with a provocative gaze. This was the audacious fellow who had ridden over her head! The spoiled young girl's heart swirled with thoughts of how to torment him to avenge her fright.
While the cheerful Baoyu found the stranger's words grating, his magnanimous nature prevented him from being petty. He casually bowed and said, "I am Jia Baoyu. May I ask who this gentleman is…?" Baoyu naturally turned to look at the helpless-looking Shui Rong, hoping he would introduce him to avoid embarrassment.
"Call me Prince Tian!" Princess Tianyi interjected first. She didn't want her brother to ruin her "grand plan." The thoughtful, spoiled girl glared fiercely at Prince Bei Jing, warning him not to cause any trouble!
Having suffered endless oppression, Prince Bei Jing had no choice but to cooperate, saying, "This is my good friend, Young Master Tian. He happens to be a guest at my residence. He has long admired your name, Brother Bao, and has come here to accompany me!" "Welcome!" Beneath Bao Yu's usual smile, his thoughts were racing. When did a Young Master Tian suddenly appear in the capital? He had been mingling with the "sons of high-ranking officials" in the capital lately, but he had never heard of such a person!
Unable to find an answer, Baoyu led the way to Jin Chuan's coffin. "I am deeply grateful for your visit, elder brother and Prince Tian. I will treat you to a feast another day to express my gratitude!" "Feast? What feast!" Baoyu's polite words were met with a righteous retort from Prince Tian. "Your concubine has just died, and all you think about is drinking. I think you're just being hypocritical!" Before he finished speaking, Princess Tianyi quickly stepped forward and walked alongside Baoyu, immediately casting disapproving glances at the hateful Baoyu.
"Hypocritical!" Baoyu was no ordinary person; how could he not sense that the other party was deliberately picking a fight? His anger surged, and he paused, about to retort, but before he could speak, Shui Rong's silent apology quelled his anger.
What exactly was going on? Gazing at the petite figure of the young master, Baoyu felt a sense of unease. A faint, sweet fragrance wafted on the breeze, and a thought suddenly struck Baoyu: Could this young master be a woman disguised as a man?! While wealthy young men of this era often carried sachets, none carried this "female fragrance"—it was a perfume reserved for women.
Lost in thought, Baoyu subconsciously glanced at the young master's earlobes and neck, but what he saw immediately refuted his guess. The young master not only had no ear holes, but his Adam's apple was also faintly visible!
A sissy! This guy was definitely a sissy! "Suddenly realizing," Baoyu thought, recalling the strange expression on Prince Bei Jing's face. His wicked thoughts began to run wild: This sissy must be a boy, Prince Bei Jing's male concubine. Seeing his recent close association with Shui Rong, he mistakenly believed that Baoyu was trying to steal his "lover," hence his deep prejudice against him! Yes, that must be it!
Princess Tianyi, unaware that Baoyu had already harbored suspicions, wouldn't be alarmed even if she did. Her art of disguise was learned from the Imperial Guards; she could even conjure up an Adam's apple. Why would she fear the audacious young man seeing through her disguise?!
Baoyu, convinced of his own innocence, felt a chill run down his spine. He subconsciously glanced between Shui Rong and Prince Tianyi. Princess Tianyi, walking ahead, couldn't see his lecherous gaze, while Prince Bei Jing, walking behind, was bewildered by it. He secretly wondered, "Why is Brother Bao's gaze so…strange?"
The magnanimous Baoyu chuckled, not wanting to stoop to the level of a disgusting, legendary "dead rabbit." "Young Master Tian is right. I misspoke. Let's have tea another day!" Prince Bei Jing, deeply admiring Baoyu's open-mindedness, saw his sister pause, seemingly about to reprimand him again. He quickly stepped forward and said softly, "We've come to pay respects to the deceased. Respect for the dead is paramount; let's offer incense first!" Princess Tianyi, though spoiled and rude, was not malicious. Hearing this, she had no choice but to abandon her chance to retaliate against Baoyu, but her resolve to thoroughly torment the audacious fellow only strengthened!
Baoyu, left behind by the brother and sister, wasn't offended. Seeing their close interaction, he became even more certain of his guess. A thought flashed through his mind, recalling his earlier interaction with Shui Rong, and he felt dizzy and inwardly groan. His palms felt like they were crawling with ants, unbearably itchy!
"Second Master, what's wrong?" Qiuwen gently nudged the lost-in-thought Baoyu, whispering, "Quickly, give the Prince some sandalwood incense!" Baoyu, realizing his mistake, couldn't help but chuckle to himself. Why was he making such a fuss?! He often heard servants talk about how many aristocratic families had male prostitutes, and even emperors with thousands of beauties had a penchant for eunuchs; thinking of this, Baoyu exclaimed that he had finally seen something truly new!
After the formalities, Shui Rong's sincere eyes revealed a look of comfort. "Brother Bao, please accept my condolences!
I look forward to our poetry and wine gathering!" "Brother, Prince Tian, please take care, I won't see you off!" Bao Yu kindly escorted the two to the entrance of the mourning hall, but did not leave arm in arm with Shui Rong.
Princess Tianyi did not want to let Bao Yu off so easily, but she could not find an excuse to stay. Fortunately, her brother had made a date with him for a reunion, so the resentful princess had barely suppressed her anger. Now, seeing that Bao Yu only escorted her to the entrance of the mourning hall, she immediately threw a tantrum.
"How can you be so ill-mannered? You didn't even personally escort the prince to the gate!" Bao Yu was not angry. Looking at her completely feminine demeanor, the bored fellow just chuckled foolishly. This Prince Bei Jing really had some skills! He had managed to mold a man into a woman!
The first clash between Baoyu and Princess Tianyi thus came to a close thanks to Shui Rong's "when in Rome, do as
the Romans do" attitude! Chapter 118: After seeing Shui Rong and the "demon" off, Baoyu returned home. Remembering the little "demon's" coquettish, jealous manner, Baoyu muttered to himself, "That damned rabbit is quite amusing!" "Amusing?!" The "fake" Baoyu was startled by this sudden thought. How could he have such a terrible idea?! He wasn't "Jia Baoyu," and didn't have his and Qin Zhong's disgusting tastes!
This damned rabbit was truly annoying; next time he saw it, he would definitely teach this androgynous creature a lesson! With a fierce resolve, Baoyu immediately blamed all his abnormal thoughts on Princess Tianyi, gathering powerful momentum for their second clash!
"Second...Master!" Before Baoyu could even settle into his chair, the servant rushed in again, breathless. "Here again!" "Who's here again? Take a break before you speak!" Baoyu was completely bewildered and kindly told the servant to calm down.
After a moment, the servant, now composed, said, "Reporting to Second Master, it's an official again. A General of the Cavalry, something like Sun, has come to the front hall!" "Is his name Sun Shaozu?" Baoyu's heart skipped a beat. This guy actually dared to come knocking on his door! It seems he's here to play a double agent in the Jia family! Damn it! I, the 'fake' Baoyu, might not be able to defeat demons and monsters, but surely I can outmaneuver this wolf in sheep's clothing? Didn't Miaoyu say she was practically a half-cultivator?!
"Please ask General Sun to come directly to the mourning hall. Tell him I cannot greet you in person, just as I would with the Prince." Baoyu waved his hand casually, showing no fear of the wolf in sheep's clothing's visit. He was prepared to face whatever came his way, secretly vowing, "Sun Shaozu, see if your Second Master Baoyu doesn't torment you to death!" Then, with a change of heart, the cautious Baoyu turned to Yuanyang, who had been mute all night, and said softly, "Go to the Longcui Nunnery and ask Miaoyu to come here. Tell her, 'Zhou Bapi's friend has come to visit.'"
Hearing Baoyu's gentle words, Yuanyang felt a surge of resentment welling up inside her. A wave of bitterness rose within her, and tears welled in her red eyes; she almost burst into tears.
Baoyu, waiting for Yuanyang's response, was startled by the girl's "strange" expression. He was bewildered. Asking her to go to the Longcui Nunnery wasn't like facing a mountain of knives or a sea of fire; why was she crying? "What's wrong? If you're not feeling well, I'll send Qiuwen over!" "No need, I just have some discomfort in my eyes!" Seeing Baoyu's lack of understanding, the girl's tears welled up and silently slid down her cheeks. The stubborn beauty gently wiped away her tears, forcing herself to remain calm as she quickly walked away. Within her chaotic heart, a strong voice rang out, "Yuanyang, you must be strong. You are not a beggar. Never shed another tear! No one will die without love in this world!" Yuanyang had just left when Baoyu, instead of waiting for Sun Shaozu, encountered his beautiful and alluring second sister, Yingchun.
"Brother Bao, guess who I brought?" Yingchun's soft eyes held a faint smile, and even in this inappropriate mourning hall, she couldn't suppress her joy. Her increasingly full figure undulated, and she approached Baoyu with a thousand charms! Truly,
she was a peerless beauty born with a captivating allure! Baoyu stared, his gaze fixed intently on Yingchun's still-blooming, alluring figure.
The quick-witted girl noticed his unusual gaze; her delicate body stiffened slightly, a blush quickly spreading across her smooth, jade-like face. Her beautiful eyes, half-open and half-closed, glared at Baoyu reproachfully!
"Heh, heh..." Baoyu's thick skin kicked in, and he smoothly changed the subject, defusing his awkward situation. "Was Tanchun trying to scare me?" Before Yingchun could answer, a clear, sweet voice, tinged with reproach, rang out. "I knew Brother Bao had forgotten me! You really only have Sister Tanchun and the others in your heart. I've been thinking about you for half a year!" Before she finished speaking, her pretty figure transformed into a gust of wind and rushed towards Baoyu. Her soft hands kept pounding on Baoyu's chest as she complained in a spoiled tone, "Brother Bao, I missed you so much!" The girl's quick movements caught Baoyu completely off guard. He didn't even see her face clearly until she was in his arms. Seeing Yingchun's smiling face without any surprise, the clever guy's mind raced instantly. This must be someone Jia Baoyu knew very well. So unreserved, and they hadn't seen each other for half a year. That meant that he, the "fake" Baoyu, had never seen her before. Who could it be? "I mustn't give myself away!"
The girl's joyful playful punches startled Baoyu from his reverie. Startled, he stepped back slightly, finally seeing the captivating face of this elven being before him.
Her delicate body, though lacking dramatic undulations, possessed an ethereal beauty, as if a fairy had descended to earth, making her all the more endearing. Her large, bright eyes radiated sunshine-like warmth, and her vibrant life force was evident in her lively form. Her smooth, round face glowed, and a playful smile was clearly visible at the corners of her rosy lips!
My God! Baoyu felt a sudden explosion in his mind, a series of thunderclaps erupting, everything in the world collapsing instantly, leaving only this lovely face flickering before his eyes. His chaotic thoughts instantly coalesced, transforming into a deep tenderness, doting affection, and tender love swirling within him!
How could such an adorable elven girl exist in this world! Baoyu was inwardly amazed. After a moment of shock, his mind raced. How could he have "forgotten" such a lovely girl?!
"Brother Bao, are you really stunned by me?" The girl smiled and shook Baoyu's arm vigorously. "I came straight to see you as soon as I got back to the capital. I haven't even been home yet!" The girl's "Brother Bao" seemed to unlock Baoyu's chaotic heart like a key. A ray of light flashed from his mind. Overjoyed, the "fake" Baoyu, just in case, immediately searched the girl's chest. A golden, lifelike unicorn immediately caught his eye. Baoyu breathed a long sigh of relief, finally confirming his guess!
"Sister Yun, why haven't you come to see me for so long?" Baoyu chuckled and scolded the girl in return. He didn't want her to ask any more questions he didn't know the answers to.
Chapter 119 Willing to Be a Pervert Shi Xiangyun's lively face beamed with even more joy, half of her delicate body clinging to Baoyu. "Hehe... Brother Bao, you're angry? I was delayed by something when I went back to my hometown, but I've been thinking of you all the time. I even made you a fan pendant. Do you think it's pretty?" Baoyu took the exquisite little trinket from the girl's hand. Although he didn't know how to weave, he could tell that the craftsmanship was far beyond that of ordinary people. He never expected that this straightforward and lively girl would have such a skillful side!
"Sister Yun, we have guests. Let's go back to the inner courtyard!" Yingchun's gentle words interrupted Shi Xiangyun and Baoyu's joyful gathering.
Baoyu looked up and gazed into the distance. Unfamiliar figures were already faintly visible. Although he couldn't quite make out who Sun Shaozu was, Baoyu felt a surge of hatred and disgust for the treacherous Zhongshan wolf!
"Brother Bao, I'll go home now," Shi Xiangyun said reluctantly, holding Baoyu's hand tightly. "I'll come to keep you company first thing tomorrow morning, okay?" What a lovely little girl! Baoyu also looked at Shi Xiangyun with deep reluctance. At this moment, he felt no lustful thoughts, only a profound affection and doting love for his sister. He affectionately patted Xiangyun's head. "Okay, Sister Yun, you can come anytime. I'll definitely keep you entertained!" "Let's hurry, the guests are arriving soon!" Yingchun, mindful of propriety, didn't want to meet outsiders and pulled the mischievous girl by the wrist, leading her outside!
Having not seen her brother Bao for several months, Xiangyun, innocent and lively, without any inhibitions, pleaded in a sweet voice, "Second Sister, can we stay a little longer? We'll just stand aside and not say anything when the guests come!" "No!" Yingchun's face was unusually serious. "If Grandmother finds out, she'll scold us. If it were a female guest, I would agree to your suggestion, but these are male guests. We are still unmarried young ladies from respectable families; how can we show our faces in public so casually?!" Seeing Yingchun's firm stance, Xiangyun immediately turned her pleading eyes to Baoyu, who doted on her the most. Her pitiful, bright eyes blinked adorably at Baoyu, silently begging him to speak up for her!
Although Baoyu didn't quite agree with Yingchun's "feudal" ideas and was determined to reform her properly when the opportunity arose, he also didn't want the two girls to encounter the treacherous Zhongshan wolf. Lost in thought, Baoyu chuckled and comforted Xiangyun, saying, "Sister Yun, you should go back to the inner courtyard with Second Sister. That fellow coming is no good; everyone calls him the Zhongshan Wolf. Good girls will have nightmares if they see him!" "Hehe..." Yingchun and Xiangyun laughed simultaneously upon hearing this. The kind-hearted Yingchun... "Brother Bao, how can you speak to a guest like that!" Yingchun said coquettishly, pausing slightly. She turned to Xiangyun and said, "Your Brother Bao loves to joke, don't learn from him, or Grandmother will be heartbroken again! Let's go!" Although Shi Xiangyun was lively and straightforward, she was also quick-witted. Even though Baoyu's words were joking, the young girl sensed his dislike for the newcomers. Xiangyun's charm lay in her tact and understanding of propriety; otherwise, why would the Jia family dote on her so much?
"Brother Bao, let me offer one last stick of incense to Sister Jin Chuan. We grew up together, and I never imagined that our last parting would be our final farewell!" Xiangyun had spent more time in the Jia family than in the Shi family since childhood. Besides the three sisters of the Jia family and Daiyu, she grew up with four maids: Xiren, Yuanyang, Jin Chuan, and Ping'er. The girls were very close. Upon returning to the capital, Xiangyun heard the tragic news of Jin Chuan's death and learned of Baoyu's deep affection and sorrow. The kind and intelligent girl didn't want to trigger his pain, which is why she tried to ease his melancholy with laughter and joy upon their first meeting. But
at this moment of parting, Xiangyun could no longer hide her bitterness. Holding the sandalwood incense, tears streamed down her face, her true feelings revealed without restraint!
Seeing Xiangyun's sudden shift from joy to sorrow, Baoyu was momentarily stunned. A fleeting moment later, his brilliant mind, bordering on genius, flashed with understanding, and he instantly grasped the girl's good intentions.
What a lovely and endearing woman! A new wave of emotion washed over Baoyu, and he had unknowingly transformed the girl in his eyes into a woman!
Although Yingchun didn't have a deep relationship with Jin Chuan, they had known each other. Seeing Xiangyun's sincere prayers, the gentle beauty could only sigh, abandoning her intention to urge Xiangyun to leave immediately.
Fortunately, the incense offering didn't take much time, and Xiangyun didn't make any excuses to delay, instead heading straight for the door.
Baoyu and Yingchun exchanged a knowing smile. What an unfathomable little sister Xiangyun! Although the guests were getting closer, Yingchun managed to avoid them in time. The charming beauty, relieved, turned to take her leave of Baoyu, only to be met with Baoyu's undisguised, burning gaze fixed on her delicate body.
Yingchun felt a surge of heat in her heart, a strange warmth coursing through her body. Shyness, anger, and a faint joy simultaneously erupted from her consciousness, swirling and churning endlessly.
"Second Sister, hurry up!" Xiangyun, who had already stepped out the door, called out in surprise.
"Hmm!" Yingchun responded softly, her face flushed. Her beautiful eyes, shimmering with complex emotions, glared fiercely at Baoyu before she hurried after Xiangyun.
Baoyu, jolted awake by the glare, suddenly realized what was wrong with him! He had repeatedly lost his composure in front of Yingchun! Although he wasn't the real "Jia Baoyu," he was nominally Yingchun's cousin. Could he really be a lecherous wolf?!
As Baoyu pondered to himself, he recalled Yingchun's beautiful eyes, half-shy and half-angry, and couldn't help but chuckle to himself. If being a lecherous wolf could win Yingchun's heart, he would certainly do it without hesitation. Besides, he was just a "fake" Baoyu; why should he have so many reservations?!
Sun Shaozu, led by a servant, strode towards the mourning hall. On the surface, the seemingly calm Sun Shaozu cursed Baoyu inwardly, and subconsciously kicked a pebble away.
Damn it! Even the pebbles in the Jia family's house are so sharp! How annoying!

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