Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 403 Meeting to Solve the Mystery
Jinling, the old house of the Jia family, Xuanhe Hall.

That day, Old Lady Zhen asked Zhen Fangqing to prepare a gift to thank Jia Cong for rescuing Zhen Shiwen from the Jinyiwei.

In fact, Zhen Fangqing only asked Liu Xian to deliver the gift, but in the end she came to visit in person with the gift.

She was in charge of the inheritance left by her father and was concerned about the family's wealth. She had no choice but to change her hairpin and manage the business in front of others, which was no longer comparable to that of an ordinary girl in the boudoir.

Because of her extraordinary talent, others were accustomed to being tolerant of her behavior as a woman.

Even so, it still seemed somewhat unconventional and unorthodox for a girl in the boudoir to visit a man of the same age.

However, Zhen Fangqing was a woman with great ambitions and thorough thoughts. Although she was extremely talented and looked down upon common sentiments, she was not so unruly.

She would come to express her gratitude in person, and naturally she would have considered the etiquette and not been reckless or impulsive.

Although Jia Cong is a man, he is also a young boy who is not yet old enough to dance with elephants, and can minimize the taboos between men and women.

Just like when the Queen allowed Jia Cong to visit Yuanchun in the inner palace, it was on the grounds that he had never danced with elephants before and did not avoid suspicion.

It was for the same reason that the eldest lady of the Zhen family came to visit Lady Jia without avoiding the rules of etiquette and asked Jia Cong to come out to meet her.

In addition, Zhen Fangqing visited in the name of his cousin Zhen Shiwen, so he avoided all the taboos.

……

In fact, she shouldn't have done this. Perhaps it was a strong curiosity and desire to explore that was at work.

Whether in Jinling or in Shenjing, she heard too many rumors about Jia Cong. For various purposes, people around her always praised Jia Cong in front of her.

Yesterday in the Yuhe Hall of the Zhen family, Zhen Shiwen, who had just been rescued from the Jinyiwei by Jia Cong, was temporarily confined to his home at the suggestion of Zhen Fangqing.

Just when Zhen Fangqing took advantage of the opportunity to get rid of Zhen Shiwen's constraints, he was busy taking inventory of business assets with Liu Xian and secretly allocating money to each shop in a timely manner.

Bei'er, the personal maid, brought news from Yuhetang.

She said that after the third girl left Yuhetang, the old lady praised the eldest master as a young man of extraordinary talent, a rare hero among the aristocratic families.

The eldest master also said that he was an official in the same dynasty as Duke Zhou of Rong. It was rumored that when Earl Weiyuan was ten years old, he was raised by Duke Zhou of Rong's second house, and the relationship between the uncle and nephew was very close.

The eldest master would write letters to maintain friendship with Cun Zhougong and would also mention matters of marriage for the younger generation in the letters, implying that he wanted to arrange a marriage for the third girl.

Zhen Fangqing naturally knew that this eldest master was best at this kind of thing. Back then, he relied on this kind of planning, coupled with the mediation of the old empress dowager in the palace, to arrange a marriage between the second sister of the eldest wife and Prince Beijing.

Now the eldest master just wants to repeat the old trick and arrange a marriage between himself and Jia Cong. If this marriage can be accomplished, it will be a two-birds-at-one-stone benefit for the first branch of the Zhen family.

Zhen Fangqing has the demeanor of a heroine, but she is a woman after all. Although she has had strange experiences since childhood, the upbringing in an aristocratic family has had a profound influence on her.

She also knew very well in her heart that as a daughter, she would not be able to manage the family business for long.

With so many elders above her, it was probably her fate that she would get married one day in red, marry a man from a well-matched family, and stay away from the Zhen family forever.

So she wanted to control her own destiny and to preserve the legacy left by her father as much as possible. This was not done by resisting everything, but by striving for the best possible outcome while maintaining a balance.

Therefore, she neither opposed nor had any hope for the eldest wife's attempt to match her with Jia Cong, but just waited and saw what would happen.

……

When Jia Cong rescued Zhen Shiwen from the Jinyiwei and won the old lady's appreciation, things progressed faster than she expected.

She didn't know to what extent the eldest master's deposit of Zhou Gong's letters in Rongguo Mansion would advance the time.

At this stage, she felt that she shouldn't just sit there and do whatever she wanted.

Just like investment and gambling in business, you should always have enough information before making a judgment whether to continue this business or not.

Moreover, a person like Jia Cong with a legendary experience really made her curious.

It was not until Jia Cong entered Xuanhe Hall that their eyes met. Even though she was a man of strategy and extraordinary knowledge, she still felt her eyes light up slightly.

The young man who entered the hall had a tall and straight figure, like a jade tree and an orchid. He wore a moon-white thin silk round-necked robe, a cloud rhinoceros seven-treasure leather belt around his waist, and white-bottomed black-surfaced Buyun boots on his feet.

He has handsome eyebrows and eyes, elegant demeanor, and is as beautiful as jade.

Zhen Fangqing had heard rumors that Jia Cong was born to resemble his mother and had a very good-looking appearance, and it turned out to be absolutely true.

She came here mostly out of curiosity, with plans for her future, and with a long-term mindset in the business world.

It was not until I actually met Jia Cong that I felt that he was a very pleasing person, at least much better than the dandy young men from noble families that I had met in Jinling City.

The unusual calmness in my heart about the future, as well as the mentality of careful planning, suddenly faded a lot.

Zhen Fangqing smiled slightly and asked, "This is Young Master Jia, Earl of Weiyuan."

Jia Cong always remembered Daiyu's evaluation of Miss Zhen San, saying that she was an extremely outstanding woman.

The person in front of me was not dressed like a woman, but was dressed in a green robe, men's attire, without any makeup. Although he was extremely handsome and elegant, he did not look as beautiful as a girl.

But when she smiled, a pear-shaped curl appeared on her jade-white cheek. In just a moment, the unique beauty and charm of a girl illuminated the room and made Jia Cong slightly stunned.

He smiled slightly and said, "I just met Brother Zhen Shi yesterday, so I naturally remember what he looks like.

I recognize the steward Liu from the second house of the Zhen Mansion outside the hall. I think it is the Third Miss Zhen who has come. The steward of the mansion did not know the situation and was very negligent. Please forgive the Third Miss."

Zhen Fangqing remained calm even after Jia Cong revealed her identity. After all, Jia Cong had just met Zhen Shiwen yesterday, and she visited him in the name of Zhen Shiwen, and had no intention of hiding her identity.

"Brother Jia, please don't be offended. You saved my brother yesterday, and the old lady at home asked me to prepare a gift to express my gratitude. My brother is currently confined to reflect on his mistakes, so I have to come and pay my respects on his behalf.

It is inconvenient for a girl in the boudoir to come here, so I came to visit you in my brother's name."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "The Zhen and Jia families are old friends. We should lend a helping hand to the best of our ability. It would be uncivilized to offer a greeting and express gratitude."

Both of them are intelligent and wise, so it is natural that they would not talk about deep things when they first met.

Zhen Fangqing came here because her family was planning her marriage and involving her with Jia Cong. She couldn't help but be curious and wanted to see what kind of person he was. Now her wish came true.

Jia Cong was aware of the fact that the Zhen family's shop was hiding Ottoman fine iron, so he was wary of the Zhen family and became more cautious and restrained in his words.

Zhen Fangqing has a unique experience. She has been managing the family's maritime trade business for many years. She is a woman with broad knowledge, which is beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Jia Cong has lived two lifetimes, and what he has seen and heard is so unique and extensive that I am afraid there are few people in this world who can surpass him.

The two exchanged a few pleasantries and then started chatting about all sorts of things under the sun. Their words and thoughts were in sync, and although it was only their first meeting, they actually got along very well.

Liu Xian, who was guarding outside the hall, saw that although the two met for the first time, they had a tacit understanding in conversation and seemed to be very compatible, and a smile appeared on his face.

……

Zhen Fangqing had noticed Lingguan since she followed Jia Cong into the hall. Although she was young, she had a frown on her face, eyes like autumn water, a thin face and a slender waist. She had grown up to be very outstanding.

Judging from her attire, she doesn't look like Jia Cong's maid. Zhen Fangqing came from a prominent family. It was common for her to see a nobleman like Jia Cong having a good-looking female companion.

When she saw Lingguan was so pretty, she suddenly thought that her face seemed familiar. That day, Zhen Fangqing visited Jia's mother in Rongqing Hall, and Lin Daiyu was also present.

Zhen Fangqing was deeply impressed by the beautiful Miss Lin.

Now, when he thought about it, he realized that the appearance of the little girl in front of him was very similar to Miss Lin from the Jia family back then.

This aroused Zhen Fangqing's feminine curiosity, so she asked, "Is this girl a relative of yours?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Her name is Lingguan, and she is currently staying at the mansion. I guessed that the third lady was visiting today, and there were no other female relatives at the mansion, so I asked Lingguan to come and accompany her."

Zhen Fangqing was a woman of sharp insight. When she heard Jia Cong say that he wanted Lingguan to come out and accompany him instead of the other women in the mansion, she immediately sensed that this little girl was special in Jia Cong's heart.

He smiled and said, "This sister is really good-looking. I didn't know I would meet her when I came here. It's a bit rude."

Then he said to the maid standing beside him, "Beier, go to my carriage and get my spring orchid-inlaid pearl and filigree gold hairpin."

Because Zhen Qingfang often changed her hairpins and appeared in disguise, her carriage was specially made and equipped with her clothes, dresses and jewelry.

After a while, the maid brought over an exquisite rosewood box.

Zhen Fangqing took out a golden hairpin from a wooden box. The hairpin was full of restrained golden light, and the head of the hairpin was carved with a half-opened spring orchid bud, wrapped with gold threads, which was elegant and gorgeous.

Five spring orchid petals surround a pearl as big as a longan, the pearl is milky white and flawless, and it is bright and shiny.

She smiled at Lingguan and said, "I saw this golden hairpin a few days ago in Ziyun Pavilion. I haven't worn it since I bought it. I'm giving it to you as a gift. It's just a small thing. Please don't be so polite."

Seeing that the golden hairpin was elegant and noble, Lingguan blushed and refused: "The third lady's jewelry is too expensive. I dare not accept it."

Zhen Fangqing smiled and glanced at Jia Cong, who naturally understood what she meant and said with a smile, "The Third Miss and I are old friends of the same generation, so you should accept the gift from her with sincerity."

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Lingguan blushed and stopped refusing.

Zhen Fangqing was very insightful and felt that her guess was correct. Jia Cong was extremely fond of and caring for this little girl, and Lingguan was also very obedient and convinced of Jia Cong.

With the addition of a young official in the hall, who was young, pretty and pleasing to the eyes, the two people who met for the first time felt less distant and cautious, and the atmosphere in the hall became more harmonious.

Zhen Fangqing smiled and personally inserted the golden hairpin into Lingguan's hair bun, then said goodbye with the maid Bei'er and the steward Liu Xian.

Jia Cong and Lingguan accompanied the people all the way to the west corner gate.

He watched Linlin leave Xinglongfang in a carriage, and he had a better understanding of this Miss Zhen San.
She is not only a girl with outstanding appearance as described by Daiyu, but also has a very outstanding mind.

A girl from the boudoir, she is very eloquent in her conversation, without any of the reserve and embarrassment of an ordinary woman, she is thoughtful, tactful in dealing with people, and her every word and action is touching and appropriate.

She saw that he cared about Lingguan very much, so she gave Lingguan some expensive jewelry. Her words were sincere and came from the heart. Even if this was a way of making friends, it made him feel more favorable towards her.

A daughter of a noble family who lives by the rules of ethics and morality, who is in charge of the family business and is a master of all trades, has the kind of breadth of mind and demeanor that only modern women of later generations have, which makes Jia Cong extremely refreshed.

Jia Cong thought again about the anomalies found in the Zhen family store a few days ago, which were difficult to connect with the people in Xuanhe Hall just now.

Zhen Fangqing is intelligent and wise, meticulous, and knows how to advance and retreat in every word and action, and is good at planning and mediating.

There is one advantage that women have that men do not have. No matter how outstanding a woman is, she will always have much less ambition and delusions than men of the same level.

A woman like Zhen Fangqing, with her intelligence and wisdom, would certainly not rashly touch upon dangerous things such as smuggling or secretly manufacturing firearms, so as to avoid bringing disaster to the family.

Therefore, although Zhen Fangqing was the person in charge of the Zhen family's business, the matter of firearms prohibition in the Zhen family's store was most likely nothing to do with her.

And it is very likely that Zhen Fangqing didn't even know about this matter before Zhen Shiwen's incident, otherwise, with a mind like Zhen Fangqing, he would not have allowed the Jinyiwei to find any loopholes in the store.

Jia Cong brought Zhen Shiwen out of the Jinyiwei that day, had some verbal contact with him, and had some judgment about this man.

According to Liu Yong, after Zhen Shiwen entered the Qianhu Suo, he behaved calmly and spoke carefully, but he could not hide his panic and confusion.

If we were not afraid of detaining him in Qianhu Suo for too long and alerting the enemy, scaring away the person behind the scenes, it should not be too difficult to get the truth out of his mouth.

Therefore, Zhen Shiwen may have some talent, but he lacks strategy and cunning, and lacks the courage to independently carry out the prohibited firearms operation.

He and the woman in the hall just now are far inferior in talent and strategy...

Just as Jia Cong originally analyzed, Zhen Shiwen should have been instructed by someone.

Although there is no clue to trace the source at the moment, if the person behind the scenes is not from the Zhen family, then he must have another origin...

……

Chongshengfang, Jinling.

In the city of Jinling, there were wealthy neighborhoods such as Xinglongfang and Rongyufang where nobles and powerful people gathered, and there were commoner neighborhoods such as Chongshengfang where the poor lived.

In an old and narrow courtyard in Congshengfang, a woman who had been running around all day pushed open the gate with a tired look on her face.

She put down the box of rouge and hairpins she was carrying on her back, scooped a ladle of cold water from the vat in the yard, and drank it all in one gulp.

I went back to the kitchen to prepare dinner for the day, but when I opened the rice jar, it was already empty, with less than half a spoonful of stale rice left.

It was only enough for her to cook a bowl of porridge, and she would have no food tomorrow.

She worked as a cook in the Zou Mansion for nine years, which was probably the most comfortable and worry-free time in her life.

The master of the Zou family was a captain of the Water Conservancy Bureau and a wealthy official. She worked as a cook in his house and received a monthly salary of two taels of silver, which was considered a very generous income in Chongshengfang.

As long as they were a little frugal, two taels of silver were enough for a family of four to live without worries about food and clothing for two months. At that time, Mrs. Wu felt that her life was satisfying and full of hope.

Unfortunately, good days are always limited. No one expected that Master Zou would suddenly encounter a disaster. His mansion was surrounded by government troops, and Master Zou was killed on the spot.

Mrs. Wu lost this good job, and life at home became difficult from then on.

Unexpectedly, misfortunes never come singly. Mrs. Wu's husband suddenly fell seriously ill. In order to treat her husband, she spent all the family savings.

However, it was still not enough to cover the medical expenses, so she had no choice but to give her daughter, whom she had raised for fifteen years, to a wealthy family as a concubine, and received a gift money to help her husband live.

Unexpectedly, her husband eventually died of illness, and the family fell into poverty. In order to make a living, Mrs. Wu's son had to go out to sea as a sailor and could only come back a few times a year.

The master of the Zou Mansion committed the serious crime of murder and looting, which not only destroyed his family but also made him despised by everyone in the city. Mrs. Wu, who had worked as a cook in the Zou Mansion for nine years, also had a ruined reputation and was tainted with bad luck.

Although she had good cooking skills, no wealthy family would hire her as a cook. She could only find a job selling hair rouge and rouge to barely support herself.

Compared with the comfortable days as a cook in the Zou Mansion in previous years, Mrs. Wu felt that her life now was worse than that of a dog and was really boring.

She didn't expect to meet Miss Zou at the door of Qingyin Pavilion. However, it was obviously her, but Miss Zou did not recognize her and said that she was a performing artist in the pavilion.

Later, Mrs. Wu came to her senses. After the incident at the Zou Mansion, Miss Zou was sold to the Music Bureau and became a performing artist.

A good young lady, being humiliated like this, must feel ashamed and dare not recognize herself?
Mrs. Wu was just thinking about this when she heard someone knocking gently on the door. She opened the door and saw a young man of medium build and ordinary looks, with half of his left little finger missing.

(End of this chapter)