Chapter Seven (Disdain from Big Face Bao) (2)

“Master Yi!” Seeing him, Xi Ren quickly bowed in greeting.

Jia Baoyu paused for a moment, then turned with a look of disdain. “Why are you here again?”

His words were unpleasant from the start. Shi Yi frowned and replied sternly, “The Grand Matron called me to join her for a meal. As the saying goes, one does not refuse the words of elders. Or am I not allowed to come?”

Jia Baoyu sneered, his face full of contempt. “Hmph, I don’t want to talk to you. I’ll go find Cousin Lin instead.” With that, he hurried inside.

Xi Ren, holding the fur robe in her hands, bowed her head anxiously and followed him in.

Shi Yi pursed his lips and sat at the edge of the kang, leisurely sipping his fragrant tea—after all, they would have to come out again soon; going in now would be pointless.

“Qing Wen!”

Just then, he caught sight of a familiar, rosy little face peeking out from behind the curtain. Shi Yi called out to her.

Qing Wen had just heard Baoyu’s voice and wanted to go in for a look, but hadn’t realized this troublemaker hadn’t left yet, and now she’d been caught.

“Qing Wen, come here. I have something to ask you.”

Having been called upon directly, Qing Wen had no choice but to give up her escape, pouting as she lowered her head and shuffled in, lifting the curtain.

Her fair face betrayed her unhappiness as she bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Master Yi!”

Shi Yi smiled at her, his eyes twinkling. “Qing Wen, I heard you’ve been running about and Madam sent Jin Chuan to pass a message, but no one could find you. Is that true?”

“Not at all—I've been in Second Master Baoyu’s room sewing all along.” Qing Wen lifted her head and argued, her lips pursed, but her hands twisted her handkerchief nervously.

“Oh, is that so?” Shi Yi didn’t expose her, grinning mischievously. “Then I’ll have Jin Chuan come with us to Madam and see who’s telling the truth.”

Qing Wen’s pretty face froze, panic flashing in her eyes, and she protested, “Master Yi, there are so many lazy girls in this house. Why do you single me out?”

Seeing her delicate, dependent manner, Shi Yi’s heart fluttered. He quickly shifted his gaze and took another sip of tea to steady himself.

He replied lightly, “I only have eyes for you—have you ever wondered why?”

“Because you’ve nothing better to do,” Qing Wen murmured in complaint, lips pursed.

But Shi Yi’s hearing was keen; he caught her words and immediately scowled. “What did you just say?”

Realizing her slip, Qing Wen panicked and quickly bowed her head to explain, “Master Yi, I said you...that you...” She faltered, unable to find the words.

“Hmph!”

Shi Yi felt a surge of satisfaction—he hadn’t expected this sharp-tongued girl to finally be flustered.

---

His eyes gleamed as he smiled. “Come here and pour me a cup of tea, and I’ll say nothing more about it.”

“All right!” Qing Wen’s face brightened, her tension melting away. She lifted her head and replied cheerfully.

Shi Yi’s lips curled in a sly smile. “Then come closer.”

Qing Wen, simple-minded, thought nothing of it and obediently stepped forward, carefully pouring a cup of hot tea and placing it before him.

Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, Shi Yi seized the moment and grabbed her tender wrist.

Qing Wen was startled and protested, “What are you doing? Let go—ugh!” She looked at him with contempt.

Fortunately, there were no maids in the side room, which emboldened Shi Yi; he pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

A fragrance wafted into his embrace; though separated by clothes, he could feel her delicate, soft figure, like the saying that daughters are made of water.

Breathing in her unique scent, his mood eased.

Knowing her fiery temperament, Shi Yi didn’t act further. He whispered by her ear, “Don’t make a sound—if anyone outside hears, it’ll be your embarrassment.”

Sure enough, upon hearing that, Qing Wen’s body stiffened, her cherry lips snapped shut, and her restless movements ceased.

Shi Yi chuckled, “Will you still dare to talk back to me in the future?”

His masculine presence surrounded her; his breath tickled her ear. Qing Wen’s heart trembled, her fair face tinged with shyness, her body turning soft.

She tried to suppress her embarrassment, darting glances left and right, flustered, and yielded, “Master Yi, Qing Wen admits her mistake—please let me go!”

Shi Yi ignored her plea, still holding her, and smiled, “Admitting fault isn’t enough. Later I’ll have the Grand Matron—” The words had barely left his mouth when a series of knocks sounded; a maid was lifting the curtain inside the warm chamber.

Quick as a flash, Qing Wen wriggled free and dashed out, her face red and head down.

Shi Yi laughed helplessly. Soon enough, Grand Matron, Lady Wang, Li Wan, Lady Feng, Lin Daiyu, and the three Springs emerged from the warm room, chatting and laughing, hand in hand.

Shi Yi composed himself and stepped forward, bowing with a smile. “Grand Matron, you’re finally out.”

Grand Matron looked at him and laughed, “Monkey, why didn’t you sneak away this time?”

Before he could answer, Jia Baoyu interrupted, “Yes, why are you still here?”

“Uh...” Shi Yi was briefly taken aback, puzzled as to why Baoyu had targeted him since he entered.

The atmosphere suddenly turned awkward.

---

Lady Wang frowned and scolded, “Baoyu! Mind your manners.”

“I didn’t say anything wrong,” Jia Baoyu protested, his innocent eyes wide, lips pouting in defiance.

Lady Wang glared at him, and Baoyu obediently lowered his head and fell silent.

Grand Matron patted Baoyu’s hand with a gentle smile. “You two are kin, all family here. You mustn’t misbehave in the future.”

Lady Feng, seeing the tension, spoke up warmly, “Grand Matron is right. It’s rare to have these two little troublemakers together—today they should both keep you company.” She finished with a meaningful glance.

Shi Yi smiled in understanding, suppressing his irritation. “Grand Matron, I came today especially to see you. I’ll stay by your side and be dutiful—Baoyu is young, and his playful words as a brother I won’t take to heart.”

“Good, good!” Grand Matron beamed. “Monkey, you promised yourself; you mustn’t sneak away again.”

“Of course,” Shi Yi replied with a smile.

Thanks to Lady Feng’s mediation, the awkwardness caused by Baoyu quickly dissipated.

Grand Matron, pleased, instructed, “Let’s go to the flower hall.”

“Hmph—”

Jia Baoyu cast Shi Yi a contemptuous glance and muttered, “Cousin Lin, let’s go—ignore him.”

Lin Daiyu looked at him in confusion, biting her lip, and murmured her assent, head lowered in hesitation.

The ladies gathered around Grand Matron and moved from the side room to the small flower hall. Grand Matron took her seat, holding Baoyu in her left arm and Daiyu in her right.

A maid brought stools. Lady Wang and Li Wan excused themselves for business, leaving Lady Feng and the three Springs to keep Grand Matron company. The women sat around her, chatting and laughing, sharing family joy in harmony.

Shi Yi did not join them, but stood quietly in the corner, listening to their conversation. For a moment, he seemed like an outsider.

Jia Baoyu, upon seeing his fairy-like cousin, had his heart captured entirely. Excited beyond measure, he began using his clumsy ways to approach her.

He bombarded Daiyu with questions, his tone like an interrogator, making her increasingly nervous and unsure how to answer—her delicate head bowed, shaking in reply.

If Lady Feng hadn’t intervened with timely conversation, Baoyu’s antics might have spoiled the lively atmosphere once more.

Shi Yi couldn’t help but find it amusing—should he praise Baoyu’s innocence, or lament his lack of tact?

He was quietly reflecting, when Baoyu, caught up in his excitement, began to act out again.