The Red Chamber begins with a bastard

Chapter 661 Baochai's Advice

After listening to the shopkeeper's account, Jia Huan finally understood the whole story. The shopkeeper, probably feeling a bit scared and worried about getting into trouble, bowed and got up from his seat.

Jia Huan and Ahemaiti walked out of the restaurant. The latter glanced at Jia Huan's clothes and whispered, "Brother Jia, you hid that blood-written letter. Are you planning to speak up for the people and uphold justice?"

Jia Huan did not answer, but simply cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for the hospitality, envoy. I'll treat you next time. I have some personal matters to attend to now, so I'll take my leave now!"

Ahmaiti smiled meaningfully and said, "Brother Jia, you're too kind. Please make yourself at home!"

Jia Huan then left with Jinbao and Muye. Ahemaiti glanced at the Hexinglong Cloth Shop next door, which had been shut down, and began to chatter with his two attendants in a strange tone.

One of the attendants said, “Your Excellency Taiji, I never imagined that the Jin Kingdom, which has been established for less than a hundred years, would be so corrupt. It’s like a donkey dung ball—it looks good on the surface but is all bark and no bite. The Great Khan is being far too cautious.”

Ahemaiti laughed and said, "The military strategy of the Jin people says: 'Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.' To defeat your enemy, you must first understand your enemy. This trip of mine has been worthwhile. Not only have we learned about the enemy's internal affairs, but the enemy has also given us treasures and beauties. Hahaha!"

The two attendants also laughed, their laughter arrogant and somewhat lewd.

Jia Huan wandered the streets for a long time and finally bought what he wanted in the desolate market. Then he went straight back to the inn. As soon as he arrived at the inn, he encountered Duan Yong and his party coming out.

"It's just in time for Jia's marriage envoy to return. Let me introduce you. This is Eunuch Wan, the Supervisor of Mining and Taxation in Luoyang," Duan Yong said, pointing to a eunuch in a satin blue flying fish robe beside him.

Jia Huan thought to himself how coincidental it was; he had just finished hearing about the various evil deeds of this "Emperor" and then suddenly saw the real person.

"So it's Eunuch Wan, what a pleasure to meet you!" Jia Huan cupped his hands in greeting, subtly sizing up Wan An.

This Mr. Wan was about forty years old. He had a fair complexion, no beard, and narrow eyes. There was a reddish-black birthmark the size of several fingers on his cheek below his earlobe. When he smiled, even the roots of his teeth were exposed, making him look like an African hyena.

"Oh my, I have long admired the name of Third Master Huan, but I have never had the chance to meet him. It is my great honor to meet you now. I would be so kind as to host you today and invite you to my humble abode for a couple of drinks!" Eunuch Wan said with a smile.

Jia Huan was by no means a cynical hothead, but he had no interest in socializing with Wan An, a wicked eunuch. So he pretended to be apologetic and said, "I should not refuse Eunuch Wan's kind invitation, but I suddenly feel unwell in my stomach. I'm afraid I will have to disappoint you."

"Oh, that's really unfortunate. Take good care of yourself, Master Huan. There's plenty of time in the future. We can drink this wine whenever we want," Wan An said with a smile, seemingly not minding at all.

Jia Huan cupped his hands in greeting and walked away. Wan An's narrow eyes slowly narrowed, and the smile on his face gradually disappeared, replaced by a hint of anger.

Duan Yong, however, mocked with a hint of schadenfreude: "Old Wan, you've been in Luoyang for two years, getting whatever you want, and your temper has even grown. Do you really think everyone has to give you face?"

Wan An sneered twice and said, "How dare I? He is a six-time scholar who once served as the governor of Liaodong. He even dared to defy the emperor's decree. Naturally, he doesn't take us seriously. Come on, Lao Duan, let's go for a drink. I'll show you around our new house, hehe!"

It is said that Wan An and Duan Yong were about the same age and from the same hometown. They both worked in the Directorate of Ceremonial. Although Wan An was eloquent, he was not favored by Chen Ju, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, because he was ugly and had a conspicuous birthmark under his ear. On the contrary, although Duan Yong had slightly dark skin, he was handsome and was therefore valued by Chen Ju.

Wan An was very dissatisfied with this. Later, Shi Dayong rose to prominence and became the Director of the Eastern Depot and the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Wan An decisively switched his allegiance to Shi Dayong and finally got the lucrative positions of Supervisor of Mining and Taxation in Luoyang.

In just two years, Wan An exploited the gentry and common people of Luoyang Prefecture like a leech, with only one or two tenths of the proceeds going to the higher-ups, while the remaining eight or nine tenths went into his own pockets. He became incredibly wealthy and filthy!
As the saying goes, "To return home in glory is like wearing fine clothes in the dark." Coincidentally, Duan Yong, a fellow townsman, was passing through Luoyang, so Wan An naturally wanted to show off to satisfy his vanity.

Next, let's leave aside how Eunuch Wan flaunted his wealth to his fellow villager Duan Yong, and let's talk about Jia Huan returning to his residence. He immediately took out the blood-written letter and began to read it carefully.

This blood-written letter was left by Boss Zhou of Xinglong, accusing Wan An of extortion and blackmail, driving him to desperation and ultimately leading him to commit suicide with his entire family. He used the death of his family to accuse Eunuch Wan. It was truly a letter filled with blood and tears, every word dripping with grief. Even with Jia Huan's extraordinary composure, after reading this shocking blood-written letter, he was still filled with righteous indignation and uncontrollable rage.

This eunuch Wan exploited the people relentlessly, squeezing them dry and stripping them of their flesh and tendons. His various acts were outrageous. In just over two years, the once prosperous Luoyang Prefecture was reduced to a state of economic depression and widespread suffering.

Jia Huan was not an impulsive hothead, but at this moment he still couldn't help but want to write a memorial to impeach the man surnamed Wan. However, considering his current situation and the fact that the man surnamed Wan was protected by Shi Dayong, he was afraid that he would not be able to easily bring him down. In the end, he decided to write a letter and send it to Sun Chengzong along with the blood letter, so that it would be more appropriate for him to handle the matter.

At that moment, Jia Huan finished writing the letter in one go and was about to blow the ink dry and put it into an envelope when Mu Ye, that kid, was peeking in from outside the door.

"What is it?" Jia Huan asked. "Third Master, Miss Xue is here!" Mu Ye winked and smiled.

Jia Huan quickly stood up and said, "Please come in quickly."

A moment later, Xue Baochai stepped in, wearing a honey-colored short jacket and a pale yellow silk cotton skirt, carrying a small bundle in her arms, with a gentle smile on her face, as dignified and elegant as ever.

Jia Huan greeted her with delight, saying, "Sister Bao is here! Please sit down, Mu Ye will make some tea!"

Xue Baochai quickly shook her head and said, "No need, I'll leave in a little while, so as not to be seen by Duan Zhongshi's men."

"Who cares? So what if they see it?" Jia Huan said without waiting for a reply, pulling Baochai's soft hand to make her sit down.

Xue Baochai blushed, unable to refuse, and could only scold the man for sitting down alone. Mu Ye, that clever fellow, made a cup of tea and left the room, closing the door behind him.

"How is Baochai doing? Has she fallen ill recently? Duan Yong has been keeping a close eye on her, so I haven't dared to ask," Jia Huan asked with concern.

Upon hearing this, Xue Baochai felt a warmth in her heart, and a sweet tenderness arose within her. She shook her head and said, "Since last time, I have not felt unwell on the journey. Thank you for your concern, Huan-di. My illness only flares up once or twice a year."

"Oh, that's good. You've had a long and tiring month of travel, Baochai. You seem to have lost a little weight!" Jia Huan said, as he subconsciously grasped Baochai's jade-like wrist. He found it as white as jade and as smooth as cream, and for a moment he couldn't bear to let go of it.

Xue Baochai withdrew her hand, her pretty face already burning red. Jia Huan suddenly realized this and could only try to ease the awkwardness with an embarrassed smile.

Fortunately, Xue Baochai only gave someone a light scolding look before her expression gradually returned to normal. She opened the bundle she was carrying and took out a pair of boots, a handkerchief, and two exquisite tassels. She said softly, "These cloud-walking boots were made by Zijuan at my request, and the handkerchief was made by me myself. I've been wanting to give it to Brother Huan, but Duan Zhongshi is keeping a close eye on things, so I haven't had a chance to send it over. I heard that Duan Zhongshi went out drinking with someone today, so I asked her to help deliver it. She wanted to come by herself, but the palace servants wouldn't allow it."

Jia Huan tried on the new boots and handkerchief, which fit perfectly, and said with a smile, "Please thank Sister Lin and Zijuan on my behalf. These two tassels must have been made by Sister Bao and Ying'er."

Xue Baochai laughed and said, "You're wrong. I don't have that skill. It was Ying'er who made them. Among all the maids in the mansion, she makes the best knots."

Jia Huan picked up one of the plum blossom knots and said, "This one was made by Ying'er, while this peace knot must have been made by Sister Bao."

Xue Baochai's almond-shaped eyes lit up with a hint of joy, and she asked in surprise, "How did Brother Huan know?"

Hearing this, Jia Huan became even more certain. He leaned close to Baochai's ear and whispered, "Sister Bao, let me hug you, and I'll tell you!"

Xue Baochai blushed instantly, and her round, white earlobes turned as red as agate, a sight to behold.

"If you keep acting inappropriately... I'm leaving!" Xue Baochai said shyly.

Jia Huan immediately sat up straight, looking very serious. Xue Baochai gave him a helpless glare, stood up and walked to the table. She happened to see the blood-written letter and the letter Jia Huan wrote to Sun Chengzong, and her expression became solemn.

Jia Huan didn't mince words and briefly recounted the events to Xue Baochai. After listening, she pondered for a moment and said softly, "Brother Huan's advocacy for the people and upholding justice is certainly a good thing..."

Jia Huan knew that Baochai was steady and dignified, but perhaps too moderate and conservative. He feared she would not agree to his involvement, so as not to offend the powerful eunuch Shi Dayong. So he said, "Don't worry, Sister Bao, Lord Sun will handle it carefully."

Xue Baochai shook her head and said, "Lord Sun is indeed of high rank and great power, and his experience is superb. His wisdom and skill are beyond question. However, I think it would be better for Brother Huan to personally submit a memorial impeaching Wan An."

Jia Huan's heart stirred. Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu were undoubtedly both very intelligent and talented women. Baochai, in particular, was worldly-wise and a master at handling interpersonal relationships. Since she suggested that he personally submit a memorial to impeach Eunuch Wan, she must have her reasons.

Looking into Xue Baochai's bright, almond-shaped eyes, Jia Huan thought for a moment and understood. He nodded slightly and said, "Sister Bao is right. I was wrong this time!"

Xue Baochai smiled and said, "That's just that Brother Huan is too caught up in the situation to see clearly."

(End of this chapter)