Pingyang Fu of the Red Chamber

Chapter 1192 To Chase or Not to Chase
"Miss, there's still something you haven't said."

Ying'er, who was following behind, saw her mistress stop and asked a question in confusion.

"There are things that weren't said, but Ping'er should have figured them out. When she reports back to Second Madam, she should be able to guess what's going on. Did you notice anything when you went to the estate today?"

With no one around, Xue Baochai turned around and took Ying'er to the corridor.

“Miss, I went to the estate with you today. I didn’t expect to see so many distinguished guests. However, you stayed in the room with the two princes and didn’t go out for a stroll. You returned after the meal. I didn’t notice anything unusual, but I felt that the two princes seemed to be implying something in their words.”

Ying'er tilted her head and tried to speak carefully. Although she couldn't quite understand what she was saying, the awkward atmosphere was unmistakable.

“You’re right. I had heard that there was some misunderstanding between the two princes, and now it seems that the rumors were true. Moreover, I still don’t understand what the Second Princess’s intention was in holding this banquet today.”

Surely it couldn't be about matchmaking for the young ladies and gentlemen of the capital, could it? Suddenly, Xue Baochai stopped in her tracks. Perhaps that was indeed what she meant.

“Miss, how could I possibly guess? When we went outside, all those nobles were gathered together drinking; I didn’t see many of them huddled together.”

Ying'er didn't understand, so she naturally didn't dare to speak recklessly, but Xue Baochai's guess, though not confirmed, was pretty much correct.

Inside Rongqing Hall,

The crowd had not yet dispersed.

Seeing that Baoyu wouldn't wake up easily, Grandmother Jia ordered someone to help him back to the Green Gauze Pavilion to rest.

Lady Wang became restless and anxious.
"Grandma, the official position is in hand, but with Baoyu's temperament, what if he offends his superiors if he goes to the Military Command..."

Before she could finish speaking, Wang Xifeng laughed and said:
"Don't worry, Second Madam. The job of the Military Commander is nothing more than patrolling the streets. Baoyu is smart and will learn it quickly. Besides, as a clerk, he sits in the yamen and doesn't get involved in outside affairs. It's Xue Pan, that troublemaker, who is a real headache."

After much difficulty, Madam Xing suppressed her thoughts and seized the opportunity to say:
“What Feng’er said is true. Xue Pan was causing trouble outside the mansion. We should go to the military headquarters to prevent him from causing any more trouble.”

Only Tan Chun sat beside him at the lower end, and said:
"You're overthinking it, Madam. Although Cousin Xue Pan is impulsive, Sister Bao will keep him in check. Even if he gets into trouble, the Marquis's mansion won't ignore it."

Grandmother Jia was still worried about Baoyu's drunken state, so she waved her hand:

"Enough! Today is a joyous occasion, so stop arguing. Feng'er, now that you've taken on this task, put in the effort and help Baoyu. Keep a close eye on things in the manor as well. I've heard about those gambling old women in the front yard. If they dare to cause trouble again, kick them out!"

Wang Xifeng was startled, secretly glanced at the Second Madam, and casually agreed:
"Don't worry, Grandma, your granddaughter-in-law understands."

After some more conversation, as dusk fell, the maids lit the lamps. Seeing that Grandmother Jia was tired, Wang Xifeng excused herself and left.

Ping'er waited under the eaves and whispered:

“Grandma, when Miss Bao left, she said she would come to pay her respects another day. Judging from her expression, it seemed that she had something important to say about Master Bao.”

Wang Xifeng straightened her long gown and snorted:
"Of course she's worried! The Xue family is now counting on the Marquis's mansion, and she can only entrust things there to Miss Lin. But today, Baoyu was drunk, and those words he said must not get out. If the people from the Marquis's mansion hear them, or if Miss Lin hears them, who knows what kind of trouble they'll cause. Daiyu's temperament is really something!"

She was unforgiving, and as she walked, she pondered that Baoyu was also ungrateful. She had kept the incident at Shuiyue Nunnery a secret for him, and now he wanted to provoke Miss Lin. If that petty Marquis heard about it, she was afraid he would suffer the consequences.

"In that case, go to the courtyard of the Green Gauze Pavilion and tell Xiren to find a way to get Baoyu to stop talking nonsense, so as to avoid causing trouble."

"Yes, grandma."

Ping'er responded and immediately changed direction, heading towards the central courtyard.

Once inside the courtyard of "Bishachu," a group of maids were busy in the inner hall. Xiren, along with Mushe and a few others, helped Bao Erye to the bed and had someone boil water and bring it over to wipe Bao Erye's body.

The candlelight flickered.

The light made Jia Baoyu's face, which was leaning against the couch, look slightly pale. After washing up, Jia Baoyu had already woken up. Ping'er walked lightly into the warm and fragrant room, and her eyes first swept over Baoyu. Seeing that although he was a little listless, his eyes were still clear and he was not seriously ill, so she was relieved.

With his usual gentle smile on his face, he stepped forward and curtsied.
"Is Master Bao feeling any better? We were really startled just now. Second Madam was extremely anxious when she heard the noise, but she was called away by Madam for questioning and couldn't get away for a while, so she specially sent me to come and check on him."

Baoyu, perhaps feeling somewhat saddened, forced a smile, his voice still a little weak:

"I'm sorry to have troubled you to make this trip, Sister Ping. I'm fine, I just... I was a little scared for a moment, I'll be fine after a rest. Second sister-in-law, you're busy, don't worry about me."

His eyes darted around, and it was clear that he had returned drunk, recalling the trouble he had caused in the house earlier, and was feeling remorseful and fearful.

"It's a blessing that Second Master is alright."

Ping'er responded with a smile, then turned her gaze to Xiren, Sheyue, Qiuwen and the others who were standing to the side, each holding their breath and looking worried. These people were considered lucky. The smiles on their faces did not diminish, but their eyes lingered on Xiren's face for a moment. Their gaze was still gentle, but it seemed to carry a hint of weight that was not easily noticed.

"These past two days have been filled with good news; even Second Grandma was talking about it on the way here!"

Ping'er's voice remained gentle, as if she were talking about everyday things. She approached Xiren and casually tidied a strand of hair near her temple, her movements natural and affectionate.
"Speaking of the people in Master Bao's household, Xiren, you are usually the most steady and reliable. With you by Master Bao's side, he is the most at ease."

These words sounded like praise at first glance, but Xiren's heart tightened. She knew that the Second Mistress was extremely strict in managing the household, so she must have something to tell her. She quickly lowered her head and said:

"Grandma, you flatter me. It was our fault for not serving you properly."

Ping'er gently patted Xiren's hand, as if to comfort her, then casually changed the subject, her tone still gentle:

"Second Madam also said that there are many people and things going on in this garden, so it's possible that she can't keep an eye on things for a while. But... you two should come out for a bit."

She paused, her gaze slowly sweeping over the faces of Xiren, Sheyue, and Qiuwen. Her voice lowered even further, carrying a sense of heartfelt intimacy. Seeing that Master Bao was still somewhat drunk, Ping'er called out the maids in the room and said.

“When a storm is brewing, even sparrows under the eaves need to find a safe nest, don’t they? Master Bao is the apple of the Old Madam’s and Madam’s eye. Those of us who serve him must be discerning and quick-witted. In all matters… the key is ‘thoroughness.’ You know, Master Bao is going to take up his post at the Military Command within five days.” She emphasized the word “thoroughness” with exceptional clarity. Xiren felt a sudden jolt in her heart, as if something had struck her hard. Ping’er’s words, on the surface, were full of concern and understanding, but those phrases like “storm is brewing,” “sparrows under the eaves,” “discerning and quick-witted,” and “the key is thoroughness” felt like needles pricking her taut nerves. She was pointing fingers at them. Fortunately, Master Bao’s official appointment had been settled, which was good news, and she had something to look forward to.

Ping'er seemed oblivious to Xiren's sudden pallor and the abrupt tension on Mushe and the others' faces. She took a small object wrapped in fine silk from her sleeve, handed it to Xiren, and said gently:
"This was specially brought by Second Madam. She said it was a very good calming and tranquilizing pill that she got the other day. It's the mildest kind of medicine, and Second Madam instructed me to bring it to Second Master Bao."

Her voice lowered even further, almost a whisper, yet every word was delivered clearly to Xi Ren's ears.

"This medicine is mild and best suited for rest. Second Master was just frightened, and there is a great risk that he may develop symptoms again tonight. You must take good care of him and make sure there are no further mishaps. In particular, you must not mention Miss Lin's words in Second Master Bao's sleep. If this gets out, it will be a lot of trouble."

These words, ostensibly explaining how to use the medicine and instructing Baoyu to take good care of himself, made Xiren feel as if the small silk bundle weighed a ton.

"Added symptoms at night," "A lot of trouble"—this isn't talking about illness; it's clearly a warning! Second Mistress, through Ping'er's words, is sternly admonishing them that Second Master Bao must behave himself from now on and absolutely cannot cause any more trouble. If he causes any more problems or if rumors about Miss Lin spread, the consequences will be far beyond what they, the maids, can bear. That "a lot of trouble" refers to the punishment they, the servants who "haven't served him properly," will face!

Musk Moon listened intently, her fingertips turning cold, while Autumn Pattern barely dared to breathe. They both understood the unspoken meaning. Xi Ren felt a cold sweat break out on her back. She took a deep breath, suppressing the fear in her heart, and gripped the medicine packet tightly in her hand. She bowed deeply to Ping'er, her voice trembling slightly, yet exceptionally clear and solemn:

"Please be sure to tell Second Madam that we have remembered every word she said and will never forget it. We are deeply grateful for your concern for Second Master and for sending this medicine. From tonight onwards, we will be on our guard and stay by Second Master's side to ensure his well-being. We will never let Second Master be disturbed in the slightest, and we will never trouble Madam and Madam again. As for Miss Lin, we will keep an eye on Second Master and there will be no trouble."

After speaking, he raised his head and looked deeply at Ping'er, his eyes filled with understanding, assurance, and even a hint of pleading.
"Please don't worry, Grandma."

Looking at Xiren's solemn expression, Ping'er noticed the subtle scrutiny and pressure in her eyes slowly fade away, replaced by a pure and gentle smile. She nodded in satisfaction and earnestly instructed Xiren to "let the Second Master rest well" before turning around and leaving the room as quietly and nimbly as she had come.

The curtain fell.

The faint chill from outside was blocked out, and the flickering candlelight inside illuminated the solemn faces of Xiren, Sheyue, and the others. The warm fragrance from before seemed to have lost its intensity. Xiren looked down at the heavy packet of "sedative medicine" in her hand, and after a long while, she said to Sheyue in a hoarse voice:

"Put this medicine away carefully."

"I understand. What Ping'er just said is about how Master Bao got drunk today and kept calling out for Miss Lin. I didn't expect it to get to Second Madam's side."

Before Musk Moon could finish speaking, she was stopped by a look from Xi Ren.
"I've already told you, keep a close eye on Master Bao, and make sure he doesn't go to the West Courtyard or Pear Fragrance Garden. After all, he's from the Marquis's mansion, so we need to be careful both inside and outside."

"I didn't want to either, but Second Master Bao wouldn't listen."

"Crack——!"

A pale bolt of lightning tore through the inky sky, instantly illuminating the interior of the swaying carriage as bright as day, revealing Zhang Jinyu's gloomy, almost dripping face and Ning Bian's anxious, hesitant expression.

Almost at the same time the lightning disappeared, a deafening clap of thunder exploded overhead, as if to shatter the sturdy carriage and its occupants. Immediately afterward, a dense, drum-like, and heavy patter of rain began to fall without warning onto the roof, walls, and grassland of the carriage, as the rain poured down.

"Crash—Boom—!"

The car was instantly filled with deafening noise, and the sound of the rain hitting the roof was like a dense waterfall, flowing continuously with almost no gaps.

The curtains billowed wildly in the gale, and cold, earthy rainwater, like fine needles, shot in through the gaps, instantly soaking a corner of the soft cushions inside the car.

The faint oil lamp that had been lit flickered violently a few times in the wind, then went out with a "poof," leaving only a wisp of acrid smoke, and darkness instantly engulfed the carriage.

"Damn it! The weather is so uncooperative. It didn't rain earlier or later, and tonight's rain is like hail. Ningbian, have the brothers brought enough raincoats?"

Zhang Jinyu was startled by the sudden darkness and loud noise, and then a surge of anger rushed to his head, causing him to blurt out a curse.

Just moments ago, they were planning how to encircle Duomin and persuade those 40,000 Jurchen warriors to surrender before the rain started. This sudden downpour was like a bucket of ice water poured over their heads!
Under the autumn rain, the air was chilly. He suddenly pushed open a corner of the car window, which was rattling in the wind, and a gust of icy, damp wind immediately rushed in, making his hair fly wildly and his eyes hard to open.

Through the rain, one could barely make out the torches that had once stretched like a long dragon in the marching column outside. Now, they were like candles in the wind, rapidly extinguishing and disappearing into the boundless darkness and rain. Only the neighing of horses could be heard.

"My lord! This rain... came too suddenly. Perhaps only half of your troops are wearing raincoats. The vanguard and the surrendered Jurchen soldiers probably aren't. They left in a hurry, mostly taking only dry rations and armor. Even if the logistics team catches up, it will take until tomorrow. There's not enough time."

Ningbian spoke hurriedly in the darkness, his voice filled with obvious anxiety, almost drowned out by the sound of rain. He blamed himself for not preparing in advance. The autumn air was crisp and clear, who would have thought that it would rain? Looking at the neighing of warhorses outside, he continued.
"My lord, the rain is too heavy! We can't see the road at all. Before long, the grassland will become soft and turn into a swamp. Our cavalry, especially the old soldiers who were converted from heavy cavalry and infantry, will not be able to move quickly in this weather and road conditions. If we try to catch up, many men and horses will surely stumble and get stuck in the mud."

The weather outside the Great Wall can change in an instant. On the grasslands, people are not afraid of wind and snow, but they are afraid of rain, especially the continuous autumn rain, which brings a chill. For example, the low-lying depressions become muddy and impassable after the rainwater collects.

Zhang Jinyu closed the window, not answering immediately, but instead relit the oil lamp. The chill was biting, but it was nothing compared to the irritation in his heart. If the downpour was approaching, they could hurry if it was raining heavily, but if it didn't stop and they continued on their way, he could imagine his iron cavalry struggling to control their horses in the rain, their feet constantly slipping and falling. If Wu Yayu's nimble Jurchen cavalry were like this, let alone Duan Hong's 20,000 vanguard troops and Chuanying's iron cavalry. Those 20,000 old soldiers on horseback would probably be unable to move an inch in this mud!
"Phew... Damn it, the Jurchens are really hard to kill."

Zhang Jinyu let out a long breath and smiled helplessly. This rain couldn't have come at the worst possible time. It was as if it had given Duomin a second chance at life. Maybe that guy was praying to the Eternal Heaven in the rain.

"My lord! I dare to request permission to immediately set up camp in a high, sheltered place to stabilize morale. We must allow the soldiers to rest and recuperate, dry their clothes, and feed the horses. Otherwise, we will collapse before we even catch up with Duomin. This autumn rain is bone-chilling; if we are soaked all night, many soldiers will fall ill, and the horses will not be able to withstand it!"

Seeing that the Marquis remained silent, Ningbian noticed that there were armored soldiers outside wearing straw raincoats, and those without them would likely find it difficult to endure the hardship.

"Order! The entire army to halt its advance and find the nearest high ground or the edge of the woods to take shelter from the rain and set up camp! All commanders must restrain their troops, take inventory of manpower and supplies, and prioritize the provision of campfires, hot water, and dry rations! There must be no mistakes. All scouts shall retreat to a position five li outside the camp for vigilance, rotating in small teams. Wear raincoats and ensure your own safety. As for Duomin... keep a close watch on him! Even if a bird flies away, you must know where it is going."

Zhang Jinyu touched the rainwater on her hands. Fortunately, the downpour came quickly and had already passed overhead. Outside, it was just a light drizzle. It was this kind of thing that could freeze people to death.

"The last general takes command!"

Ningbian's spirits lifted, a great weight was lifted from his heart, and his voice became louder. He immediately opened the car door, plunged into the raging rain, and shouted orders to the messenger.

Zhang Jinyu watched the people in front of him leave, and the sounds of horses neighing came from all around. Suddenly, a thought came to his mind. These people could hardly move an inch in the rain. Similarly, the Jurchen tribes, no matter how good at riding horses, should be in the same situation. Otherwise, he could launch a surprise attack with the vanguard.

Looking at the map under the oil lamp, Zhang Jinyu pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled and shook his head. There were too many variables, and he couldn't take the risk. There was plenty of time. Besides, the closer they got to the final step, the more they needed to stay calm. Perhaps it was Duomin who was losing his composure. If they marched in the rain at night, his soldiers would be exhausted. If they were caught up then, the Jurchens would be doomed.

"Dumin... I'm glad you're not destined to die! But this rain can save you for now, not forever. Tomorrow... tomorrow I will take your head!"

(End of this chapter)