The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 504 Kill two birds with one stone

After nightfall, the temperature dropped even lower. Just after dinner, a cold rain began to fall outside the window. This was the first spring rain in the eighth year of Qiansheng in the Great Jin Dynasty. It came relatively early, and the grass seeds in the ground had not yet grown, and the trees in the garden had not yet sprouted.

As the saying goes: Good rain knows when to fall, and it happens in spring. This year may be a good year with good weather and good harvests, but for the Jia family, this spring will be very difficult.

The bathtub was filled with hot water and filled with mist. Jia Huan soaked in it with his eyes closed, thinking about what measures to take next. It would be very difficult to revive the Jia family's mess.

At this time, Ping'er flashed in, rolled up her sleeves, revealing two white arms, and skillfully scrubbed Jia Huan's body. Seeing that the latter's brows were tightly furrowed, she couldn't help but reveal deep worry on her sweet face.

Now the old lady asked the third master to be the housekeeper, which was not a good job. Rather than being a housekeeper, it was better to say that he was cleaning up the mess. The East Palace was completely confiscated, and half of the family property was also confiscated here. There was still a foreign debt of more than 200,000 taels. How could he pay it back? It was really difficult!
Good things don't happen to him, but the bad things have to be borne by the Third Master. Bao Erye is obviously the legitimate son and is older than the Third Master, so why doesn't he come out to take responsibility? The most infuriating thing is that it is Bao Erye, the legitimate son, who will inherit the family business in the future.

Although Ping'er was kind-hearted, she couldn't bear to see the Third Master suffer any loss. She felt indignant and distressed. She stretched out two jade fingers and gently rubbed Jia Huan's eyebrows, as if she wanted to rub away all his worries and his tightly furrowed brows.

"Sister Mandarin, is the Third Master at home? I have something urgent to tell him!" A voice came from outside, sounding familiar.

Mandalin replied, "The Third Master is taking a bath. What's the urgent matter, Sister Xiuju?"

It turned out to be Jia Yingchun's maid Xiu Ju, who sounded anxious. Jia Huan quickly opened his eyes and stood up. Ping Er took out a bathrobe and wiped Jia Huan's body clean, then helped him put on his clothes.

Jia Huan put on his clothes, embraced the pretty maid in his arms, and kissed her on the forehead. The maid felt sweet in her heart and whispered, "Third Master, please go out and see her. I'm afraid the second lady has something urgent to do."

Jia Huan hummed lightly, turned around and walked out from behind the screen with his long hair loose. Xiu Ju was sitting next to the coal stove with Mandarin to keep warm. It was raining outside and it was very cold.

"Hello, Third Master!" When Xiu Ju saw Jia Huan coming out, she quickly stood up and bowed. Then her face turned red and she lowered her head embarrassedly, thinking to herself, Third Master Huan is so handsome.

At this moment, Jia Huan, who had just taken a bath, looked even more red-lipped and white-teethed, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes. His hair was not dry and was casually draped behind his head, which added a bit of free and easy handsomeness to his elegant appearance.

Jia Huan smiled and asked, "Xiu Jue, why did you come here in the rain?"

Xiu Jue then remembered what she was doing and said anxiously, "Sister Siqi is missing."

Jia Huan frowned and asked, "When did you disappear? Did you go to play at another house or was delayed by something?"

Xiu Jue said in a panic, "She was there in the afternoon, but disappeared in the evening. We searched everywhere in the garden but couldn't find her. She didn't come back for dinner either. Our girl was worried that she ran away and suspected that the Jinyiwei mistook her for a maid from the East Palace and arrested her."

Jia Huan shook his head decisively and said, "If it was gold and silver, it would be normal for it to be taken away, but it is unlikely that it was a living person."

Ping Erh also packed up and walked out from the inner room, agreeing, "That's right. And how could Si Qi go to the East Palace for no reason? Doesn't she know that the East Palace is still raiding the house and arresting people?"

Xiu Jue asked in confusion: "Where is Sister Siqi? It's already dark."

Jia Huan's heart moved. He remembered that in the original version of A Dream of Red Mansions, Siqi was in love with her cousin Pan Youan. They were secretly engaged and even had an affair in the garden. After the affair was exposed, she was driven out of the Jia family. Could it be that she had run away with her cousin now?

Thinking of this, Jia Huan asked, "Are Siqi's things still there?"

Xiu Ju was stunned for a moment, then shook her head and said, "I didn't notice this. I have to go back and check it out first."

Jia Huan nodded and said, "Go!"

Xiuju packed her rain gear and left in a hurry. About an incense stick later, Jia Yingchun brought Xiuju to Yueweiju in person and said anxiously, "Brother Huan, I just realized that Siqi's clothes, shoes, socks and other personal belongings are gone, leaving only a note. It turns out that this bad bitch has...run away with her lover. I was worried about her for a long time. After such a shameful thing happened, how can I still save my face?"

As Jia Yingchun spoke, she handed a note to Jia Huan with a blushing face. The latter took it and looked at it. He saw that the handwriting was neat, which showed that Siqi was well-versed in literature. There were only a few lines on the paper, which roughly meant that she and her cousin had run away, and asked Jia Yingchun to let her go for the sake of their many years of relationship as master and servant, and not to look for her again or report to the authorities.

In other words, Siqi eloped with her cousin Pan Youan, which was a very shameful thing in feudal society and was punishable by being thrown into a pig cage. It is no wonder that Jia Yingchun was so ashamed and angry. After all, as a master, she also had the responsibility to discipline her. When a personal maid did such an immoral thing, she, as her master, would naturally be ashamed as well.

"Brother Huan, you are in charge of the household now. If this slave is caught, you can either beat her to death or send her to the authorities. You can do whatever you want to her. I have nothing to say, and I am too ashamed to go back to Madam!" Jia Yingchun said with shame. Jia Huan put the note away and comforted her, "Second sister, don't blame yourself. I will naturally handle this matter. If Madam asks, I will have my own excuses. You should go back and rest first. It's cold and the roads are slippery. Be careful on the road."

Jia Yingchun felt relieved after hearing this and said gratefully, "Huan'er, thank you." Then she left with Xiuju.

Ping Er escorted Yingchun and her servant out of the door, then walked back to Jia Huan and sighed, "Siqi is usually a very honest person, but I didn't expect her to be so bold as to do such a shameless thing. How do you plan to deal with her, Third Master?"

The foreign maid also blinked her beautiful sapphire eyes and looked at Jia Huan with interest.

Jia Huan stretched and said, "What else can we do? Let her do it."

Ping'er was stunned. As the saying goes, a new official will make three big moves when he takes office. She thought Jia Huan would report to the authorities to have Si Qi arrested and use this to establish his authority, but she didn't expect Jia Huan to just say "Let her be" lightly.

Mandalin cheered, jumped up and hugged Jia Huan, saying happily: "That's great, Ten points, Jia, you really didn't let me down. Siqi is really brave, she is simply... that... a heroine, really admirable!"

Ping Erh spat, "You're crazy, aren't you? What kind of heroine is this? This is clearly a dishonest and shameless act!"

Mandalin shrugged and retorted, "What's wrong with being with someone you like? Just like I like being with the Third Master, doesn't Sister Ping'er like being with the Third Master?"

Ping'er blushed and said angrily, "This... how can it be the same? She is eloping with a wild man. She has no shame!"

Mandalin said with a smile: "If the Third Master wants to elope with me, I will follow him. Don't you, Sister Ping'er, want to follow him?" After saying that, she kissed Jia Huan on the cheek.

"Bah, what a shameless slut! Third Master, you don't care about her and just let her chew maggots!" Ping'er rolled her eyes at Jia Huan and pinched the foreign maid's breast in anger.

Jia Huan spread his hands and said with a smile: "What do you want me to say?"

Ping'er and Mandalin received different educations, so their values ​​are naturally very different. Ping'er adheres to the traditional concept of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, while Mandalin pursues free love. It is strange that they can get along well.

Mandalin gave him another sweet kiss, then proudly pressed her pretty face against Jia Huan's chest, grinning at Ping'er, who was so angry that she wanted to turn around and leave, but Jia Huan reached out, put his arms around her slender waist and hugged her in his arms, hugging her left and right, and said with a smile: "Don't be angry, Sister Ping'er, I'll teach her a lesson right away."

After saying that, he raised his hand and slapped Mandalin's buttocks, making a crisp sound. Mandalin smiled and said, "Look, Sister Ping'er, everyone else has been beaten, but please spare me this time!"

Ping Er blushed and spat, "I'm not angry, it's just that if something like this happens, how can the Third Master convince others and manage the household if he ignores it? And what if the Madam asks about it?"

Jia Huan smiled and said, "Don't worry, Sister Ping'er. After tonight, I'm afraid that Siqi will not be the only one who leaves without saying goodbye. This is how the world is. There are many who share happiness, but few who can share suffering!"

Ping'er's eyes lit up, and she blurted out, "Could it be that the Third Master wants to take this opportunity to cut back on the staff..."

Jia Huan nodded. For a century-old Chinese family like the Jia Mansion, not only did the masters of each branch have many children, but there were also more and more servants. The Rong and Ning Mansions together had nearly a thousand people, which meant there were too many people and more work to do. If the family continued to grow, they would be able to consume all the gold and silver. It was time to downsize long ago.

However, the masters of the Jia family are used to enjoying themselves, and they love face and ostentation. Although they understand this truth, they cannot bring themselves to lay off employees. Moreover, the relationship between masters and servants is complicated. If they lay off one, they will inevitably offend the other, and if they lay off that one, they may offend this one. It is really difficult to deal with.

Mrs. Wang is a hypocritical good person who values ​​her reputation, so naturally she is unwilling to be the bad guy. Although Wang Xifeng has a hot temper, she dare not touch this matter. After all, doing this will easily offend people, and she will be unpopular with both the upper and lower levels, and will be unpopular inside and outside.

Now that the Jia family has lost their hereditary title and is piled up in debt, they are almost in disarray. It would be a good opportunity for them to slim down their family, get rid of the dross and retain the true, and dismiss some of the idle and disloyal servants. Not only can they save a lot of money, but they can also improve their loyalty. It is a move that kills two birds with one stone. Why not do it?
Jia Huan was spending some time with the two maids and was about to read when Grandmother Jia sent someone to invite him, saying that she had something important to discuss.

With the help of Ping'er, Jia Huan dressed himself, tied his hair into a bun, put on his rain gear and went out. Mandalin volunteered to hold a lantern to light the way.

So the master and servant braved the cold rain and went straight to Grandmother Jia's room.

(End of this chapter)