Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 335 Xue Baochai's Marriage

Xue Baochai felt a pain in her heart.

The uncle on whom he relied wholeheartedly, the mother on whom he depended for everything, the brother who was so affectionate to him, the scheming, foolish, and delusional person, all joined hands and plotted against him!

In this world, I am the only one who schemes against others, so why would it be their turn to scheme against me! ?

Xue Baochai concealed her thoughts, her eyes showing surprise. She quickly stood up, knelt down and saluted with her hands clasped together: "I have never heard my family mention this. May I ask where did the princess know about this?"

Princess Tongyi stared at her closely: "This news is all over the place now, how dare you say you don't know? I'm not Shouchang, I'm not that easy to fool!"

Princess Shouchang was choked by her mother's previous words and was speechless. Just as she was about to speak, she heard her mother belittling her, which made her even more angry. She couldn't help but straighten her neck and yell:

"Since Xue came to our family, has she ever told a lie? How can it benefit our family if mother destroys my reputation as a study partner for no reason?!"

Xue Baochai turned around and stopped her: "Don't worry, Princess. The princess is just asking questions, not accusing me. I will explain it slowly and clearly!"

Shouchang was so absorbed in his own temper at this moment that he didn't care about anything else. He pushed Baochai away, took another half step forward, and began to cry:

"I was favored by the Queen Mother in the past. My mother always said I did well in everything I did. Even if I offended people outside, my mother would say they deserved it!

"Now that the Queen Mother has found someone else to love, Mother is dissatisfied with everything about me! She thinks I can't speak well, and she thinks I can't judge people well!

"When Xue came home, didn't my mother say she was a thousand times better than me? She even said she wanted to divorce my sister-in-law and let my brother marry her!

"Now that my uncle the Emperor is tired of Jia, Wang, Shi and Xue, my mother doesn't dare to turn hostile and drive Xue away immediately, so she finds fault with me every day!

"What am I wrong about? Wasn't I raised by my mother? Am I the only one who is arrogant? Isn't my mother known for being domineering outside?!"

Before he could finish his words, Princess Tongyi was so angry that she stepped forward and slapped Shouchang hard in the face!

Xue Baochai turned pale with fear. She threw herself at Princess Shouchang and hugged her, pulling her behind her, crying out loud:

"If I were here, I would cause discord between the eldest princess and the princess, and it would be better to expel me from the house!"

Princess Tongyi was also angry for a moment and slapped her daughter in the face. She regretted it in her heart. Seeing Xue Baochai coming up to stop her, she took the opportunity to vent her anger on her: "It's because of you..."

Xue Baochai knelt down crying, but just followed her own words and didn't care what Princess Tongyi said next:

"I lost my father when I was young, and my elder brother is useless, so I can only manage the household chores and manage the business with my mother, struggling to support myself!

"My ancestors were Ziwei Sheren and were imperial merchants for generations. But now, we are the only orphans and widows left in the eldest branch of the family. I don't know how many people with ulterior motives are coveting us!

"Back in Jinling, there were countless disasters, bitter winds and rains, thorns in the daytime, candlelight at night, wasn't it me who accompanied my mother and struggled through them step by step?"

Xue Baochai raised her tearful eyes and looked at Princess Tongyi. She then reached back and took Princess Shouchang's hand, sobbing as she led it towards the princess:

"How can the love between mother and daughter be fully expressed by a simple sentence like 10 months of pregnancy?

"As a woman, the world is strict and we must follow the rules and not make any mistakes. How can men understand such a dilemma?"

Princess Tongyi subconsciously took her daughter's hand and pulled her into her arms. The mother and daughter looked down at Xue Baochai who was kneeling on the ground, with mixed feelings in their hearts.

“Although I come from a merchant family, I have been studying since I was young, and I keep the principles of propriety, righteousness, integrity and shame in mind!

"Marriage is something that is decided by parents and matchmakers. It is understandable that my family was kept in the dark.

"I have never had any intention of currying favor with the rich and powerful! Although my relatives are all in the court, the Xue family is just a merchant family. What can they use to form an alliance with the popular royal family?

"Besides, my family is in trouble now. My brother is useless, and the princess and the county lady know it. Because my uncle is gone and my aunt has phlegm disease, my cousins ​​have also come to the capital to seek refuge.

"My elder brother, younger brother, and younger sister are all in a state of uncertainty. How can my mother handle it all by herself? How can I get married in such a predicament?"

Xue Baochai confessed everything one by one.

Even though what she said was reasonable, her long speech was so long that not only Princess Shouchang but also Princess Tongyi gradually became impatient.

After she had finally finished speaking, the princess sneered, "You are indeed very eloquent and eloquent! Unfortunately, I will never be fooled by you again!"

Xue Baochai's heart skipped a beat!

I have spoken so earnestly, is it still impossible to gain the princess's trust?

She raised her head while crying, and just as she was about to speak, she saw the eldest princess staring at her coldly and spoke in a cold voice:

"The Imperial Concubine Jia has sent a carriage to tell you to come to the palace immediately. She wants to take you to see the Empress and ask for her permission to marry you!"

Xue Baochai’s face turned pale and she fell to the ground!

"Okay! Xue, you really lied! Mother, I was young and ignorant, and I was deceived by her. You just taught me, how could you hit me for her?"

Princess Shouchang finally found an opportunity and started crying.

Princess Tongyi immediately took the opportunity to hug her and coax her: "Isn't it all because of this witch? You actually talked back to your mother because of her, and you don't allow me to be angry?

"Come and let me take a look. Is it hurt? You've been wanting your mother's pearl headpiece for a long time. How about I give it to you tomorrow during the New Year?"

"No! I want the one with Hongbao! I want to wear it for Anchang, Yongchang and the others to see!"

"Okay, okay! I'll give you the red set..."

The mother and daughter no longer paid any attention to Xue Baochai and left on their own!

After being stunned for a long time, Xue Baochai stood up with difficulty on her knees, lowered her eyes and tidied her clothes.

She walked slowly to the table, wiped her tears in front of the mirror, tidied her hair and pearl hairpins a little, then walked out calmly with her head held high.

In the afternoon, an imperial decree was issued from Kunning Palace: the daughter of the Xue family was granted to the eldest son of Prince Zhongshun as his wife.

Immediately afterwards, the Ministry of Rites formally notified Prince Zhongshun's palace, bestowing upon his eldest son the title of Crown Prince, and delegating his rank to inherit the title a hundred years after Prince Zhongshun's death.

A wealthy family settled down in half an hour.

When the news reached the Jia Mansion, Grandmother Jia pondered for a long time and called Wang Xifeng over: "Please prepare gifts for the Wang family and the Xue family, and deliver them personally tomorrow morning."

Wang Xifeng was unwilling to go, and she rolled her eyes and found an excuse: "Someone from the Lin residence just now asked me if I should take a message or something with me since Xiaohong and Xueyan are going to the palace tomorrow.

"I just agreed to go there in person tomorrow morning to deliver the letter and other things, and to escort the two girls to the palace gate.

“Although the time can be staggered, who knows if Miaoyu and Sister Lin will be mad at me when they hear that I am going to congratulate the Xue family and Prince Zhongshun on their wedding?

"Given Sister Lin's personality, what if someone embarrasses me at the palace gate? What should I do?"

Grandmother Jia glanced at her, smiled, and said, "In that case, you should go to Xue's house this afternoon, and tell your sister about the situation tomorrow.

"I'll keep you safe!"