Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Baoyu Courtyard.

Ever since Xiren went to the East Palace to visit Daiyu, Baoyu became so excited that he could not sit still and walked back and forth in the room.

Not only was his face flushed, but he was also mumbling to himself, but no one could hear what he was saying.

Qiu Wen saw that she and Baoyu had reported the good news, but Baoyu asked Xiren to visit Daiyu. It was clearly her contribution, but someone else took credit and took advantage of her.

Although she was angry in her heart, she did not dare to show it in front of Baoyu, for fear of being criticized after showing her face with great difficulty.

Although Baoyu was spinning back and forth like a windmill, making Qiu Wen dizzy, she stayed in the study and did not leave.

She guessed that Xiren went to visit Miss Lin. Since the old lady was in charge of the matter, Miss Lin would have no reason to object. Xiren would definitely bring good news when she returned.

The Second Master would most likely be overjoyed, so I must show up in front of him at this critical moment to let him know that one should not forget the well diggers when drinking water, and that he should remember my kindness.

When Second Master and Miss Lin get together in the future, they will surely be grateful to me. I should take advantage of the situation to please them more so that I can share some of their kindness and achieve a good result in Second Master's room.

At that time, Xiren and I would be on an equal footing. Let's see how she would treat me in the future!

Qiu Wen is an ambitious maid. Although she is jealous of Xiren's success, she also admires Xiren's ability to climb into her master's bed. She wishes she could take her place and fulfill her lifelong wish of becoming her concubine.

She was full of confidence, watching Baoyu walking back and forth in the room, her bright eyes became more and more watery, as if they were about to drip with water...

……

Suddenly, footsteps were heard at the door. Qiu Wen saw Bi Hen coming in with a tea tray. She had an enchanting figure and a sweet smile, which made Qiu Wen frown.

Bi Hen smiled and said, "I just passed by the corridor and happened to hear such good news. Miss Lin is a top figure in the world. Second Master is about to be very happy, so you must take care of yourself.

You're walking around and your forehead is sweating. Have a cup of hot tea to moisten your throat."

When Baoyu heard that Miss Lin was a first-class person in the world and that she was also his, he was overjoyed. Every word touched his heart. He was immediately happy and could not help laughing.

I can't help but feel that among the maids, Bi Hen is the most well-behaved and playful. I see her holding a tea tray, smiling charmingly, with fair skin and rosy lips, which is very attractive.

Baoyu couldn't help but think of that day in the study when the two of them had been enjoying themselves, and he felt a little hot in his heart.

If Qiu Wen hadn't been there, and he was thinking about the happy event, he would probably have been unable to resist laughing and fooling around again.

Qiu Wen, who was standing aside, saw Bi Hen also joining in the fun. She had already been deprived of the first place by Xiren, and now even that slut Bi Hen came to share the benefits with her, which really infuriated her to death.

Baoyu took Bihen and served her tea, drank it in one gulp, and said, "Xiren has been gone for a long time, how come she hasn't come back yet? I'm really worried to death."

Qiu Wen was worried that Bi Hen would steal the conversation again, so she said, "Don't worry, Second Master. It's quite a distance from here to the East Palace, and Xiren wants to talk to Miss Lin again.

If she didn't get to the point and get Miss Lin's opinion, she would definitely not dare to come back. This back and forth would definitely take some time."

Baoyu did not hear that Qiu Wen's words were a stab at Xiren, but he felt that there was some truth in what Qiu Wen said.

He also thought of the fact that Lin Daiyu was prone to being naughty. It might be because she was influenced by her uncle, who won the third place in the imperial examination when she was young, and her words and actions were very strict and proper.

Baoyu thought that Lin Daiyu must be happy about their marriage proposal, but girls are as gentle as water, so they need to be reserved and respectful.

Even if she likes this good thing in her heart, she won't show it on her face. Xiren should not be ignorant of the seriousness of the matter. If she embarrasses and angers Sister Lin with her words, it will be a disaster...

Well, I have no choice but to admit my annoyance and then try to coax her with sweet words.

……

Just as Baoyu was becoming extremely crazy, he was having wild thoughts and could not control himself.

Maids like Qiu Wen, Bi Hen, etc. thought that Baoyu was about to get married, and for the sake of their own future, they racked their brains to act coquettishly and please Baoyu.

Suddenly, several people with great ambitions heard footsteps outside the corridor.

Baoyu was even more blessed, and he recognized that it was Xiren's footsteps. On his round face, his eyes brightened, his eyebrows raised, the corners of his mouth seemed to be smiling, and there was even some strange twitching.

It can be seen how violently his heart was trembling at this moment.

A graceful figure swayed at the door of the room. It was Xiren who walked in. Baoyu looked anxious and dazed, and his tone trembled with excitement, but he did not notice the slightly hesitant look on Xiren's face.

He asked without thinking, "Sister, you went to see Miss Lin. How is she doing? But now that she knows about the happy event, she must be very happy."

Xiren looked a little embarrassed and said, "Miss Lin has a rosy complexion and is in good spirits. There is nothing serious wrong with her. She is just a little ill. She will be fine after a few days of recuperation. Don't worry, Master."

After hearing this, Baoyu felt a little disappointed in his heart. In his imagination, Daiyu should have been born with a delicate and frail beauty, which would make her more lovable.

When she heard the good news that the two were going to have a happy marriage, she was so happy that her sick face disappeared, which was in line with Baoyu's usual narcissistic and self-pitying fantasy...

Her face was ruddy and she looked in good spirits, which seemed a little inconsistent with the sickly Lin Daiyu in his mind.

But it was a good thing that her sister was still healthy, and it would not affect their upcoming wedding. When Baoyu thought of this, a relieved smile appeared on his round face...

Baoyu asked anxiously again: "Sister Xiren, has Sister Lin known about this happy event? She must be as happy as I am, and there is no doubt about it."

Xiren looked at Baoyu's expectant expression, her face a little bitter, and said: "Miss Lin doesn't know about this happy event."

Baoyu was disappointed and asked, "Sister, have you told her? This kind of good news should be told to her earlier. If you tell her after everyone knows it, your sister will be angry."

Seeing Baoyu's confident tone, Xiren felt a headache and said, "I wanted to tell Miss Lin, but Miss Lin spoke first.

So, I have to hold off on telling you the good news for now.”

Baoyu was very anxious when he heard this, and he complained loudly, "Is there anything more important than the wedding of Sister Lin and me? Why didn't you tell her, sister?

What did Sister Lin say? Could it be so important that her elder sister even put aside the matter of announcing the good news?

……

Xiren felt depressed after hearing this. How could the Second Master be so confused? Miss Lin had been nice to the Second Master over the years, so why was he still dreaming like that?

She said, "Miss Lin said that Master Lin wrote to her, saying that although Shenjing is the capital of the country and is home to many noble families, most of their children neglect their studies and live a decadent life, making it difficult for them to entrust their lives to someone."

When Baoyu heard this, he felt as if someone had stabbed him in the heart with a knife. Sweat broke out on his forehead and his face turned pale.

Xiren continued, "Mr. Lin also said that the man he wants to entrust to must be able to pass the imperial examinations in literature and be able to stabilize the country in martial arts. He must be able to do one of the two to live up to his ambitions.

Mr. Lin plans to wait until Miss Lin reaches marriageable age next year and then take her back to the south to settle her down. It seems that he wants to go back to the south to plan for Miss Lin's life.

After hearing what she said, I naturally couldn’t tell Miss Lin the good news…”

After hearing what Xiren said, Baoyu's face turned pale as snow. He was shaking as if he had been struck by lightning. He didn't know whether he was angry or ashamed...

He said indignantly: "Sister Lin has grown up in the mansion since she was a child. How can she go back to the south for no reason? It is totally unreasonable. I will never allow it.

I thought Uncle Lin was a man of letters and poetry, but how come he started talking about such obscene things? He may be a successful writer or a great warrior, but he is nothing but a parasite seeking fame and reputation.

I really tainted the eyes and ears of innocent people. I was right. Talking about parents' orders and matchmaker's words are just the actions of fools, and those arranged marriages are all..."

After hearing this, Xiren, Qiu Wen and the others all changed their expressions. This guy was actually not afraid of death and started talking nonsense again.

Xiren said hurriedly, "Second Master, please stop talking nonsense. The last time you said something like this, the clan leader's residence came to your house and caused such a big commotion. How could you have forgotten it?"

Baoyu's face changed when he heard this. He grumbled a few times and swallowed back the rest of his words. This was not the first time he had done this. It seemed that he never learned his lesson...

Xiren added, "Mr. Lin is Miss Lin's father. How can Second Master frame him up? If Miss Lin finds out, Second Master will be very angry.

Besides, I think what Mr. Lin said is not wrong. It is natural for a father to hope that his daughter has a good home.

The second master is a very smart man, he just didn't put enough effort into his studies in the past. If he puts in some effort, with his talent, he will be able to go to school.

If there is one, there will be another. Maybe he can become a Juren or Jinshi like Third Master Cong. Then he will be valued by Mr. Lin and can be a good match for Miss Lin. This is also a good thing. "

……

Xiren followed Baoyu secretly, and naturally hoped that he would be as respectable as Jia Cong so that she could also benefit from him. She had this thought in her mind for a long time, and now she took the opportunity to express it, and she sounded very emotional.

She thought what she said made a lot of sense, and it even sounded like she was speaking eloquently.

But Baoyu was so angry that he was shaking. Just now, he was already ashamed and depressed because Xiren relayed "Lin Ruhai's words". Now he saw Xiren, who was closest to him, actually said such words.

He was so angry that he trembled and said, "You are just like that Xiao Hong, saying such philistine and filthy nonsense. What should I do? What should I do? There is no one in this world who understands me!"

Seeing that Baoyu was furious and his round face was distorted, Xiren was frightened and regretted that she had spoken too hastily. It would be terrible if she had aroused Baoyu's stupidity.

Baoyu suddenly seemed to have thought of something, and said with great sorrow: "I just know that Sister Lin must not want to go back to the south, and wants to stay at home for a long time so that we can see each other.

She must have been forced to obey her father's orders. I wonder why she fell ill. It was because of this matter that she was troubled and became bedridden. It's really cruel.

Xiren, don't you think about it? Even the old lady didn't know what was said in the uncle's letter, which shows that Sister Lin didn't tell anyone. But she told you, don't you think about the reason?"

……

When Xiren heard Baoyu say that Sister Lin was also unwilling to return to the south, she always felt something was wrong. Recalling what Daiyu had just said to her about this matter, her expression was calm and peaceful, which showed that she was willing to do so.

This second master always judges others by his own standards and always thinks that the people around him are just as he thinks.

Little did she know that Miss Lin was a talented woman with a wealth of poetry and prose, and her mind was more meticulous and opinionated than that of an ordinary woman. How could she always follow the Second Master's wishes...

Xiren was just realizing that Baoyu was talking nonsense again, and was slightly stunned when she suddenly heard his last rhetorical question.

She remembered that she had just entered Daiyu's room and hadn't said much yet, but somehow Daiyu started the conversation and said something like that. Xiren didn't pay any attention to it at the time.

Now that Baoyu's words had come to mind, it seemed that Daiyu had already said these words, as if she had specifically wanted to tell her?
……

When Baoyu saw Xiren's dazed expression, his mood, which had been devastated to the point of shame by the words she had just relayed, began to regain hope.

He said with certainty: "My sister became depressed and sick because she didn't want to go back to the south, but she couldn't disobey her father's order. It's really pitiful.

Even when she was sick, she only thought of me. That’s why I told you this specifically so that you can tell me and help her solve her problems. I will not let my sister down!”

Xiren was dumbfounded when she heard this. What was wrong with her second master's brain? How could he come up with such nonsense?

Xiren thought carefully about the conversation between her and Daiyu at that time. Perhaps what Daiyu said in Mr. Lin's letter really had deep meaning.

But it doesn't seem likely that Daiyu was unwilling to return to the South and had to spread rumors and beg the Second Master to help her solve her problem.

When Xiren thought of this, she couldn't help but blurt out, "What the Second Master said doesn't seem right. If Miss Lin didn't want to go back to the south, why would she leave such a message to the Second Master and ask me to pass it on."

When Baoyu heard Xiren say that what he said was wrong, he couldn't help but fall in anger, but when he heard that Daiyu had something special to tell him, he couldn't help but cheer up.

She said, "Sister, you are also a person who has grown up. How come you have something to say to me? It's such an important thing, but you only thought of it now? Tell me quickly, what good words are you saying?"

Xiren said, "Miss Lin's words are really good words. Regardless of whether we can succeed in the future, it would be great if Second Master could listen to them."

Baoyu was only thinking about what Daiyu had left for him. In his self-pitying and self-loving mind, Daiyu was the person he cared about the most, so she should also care about him the most...

If she would leave a message for me, it must be some sweet and intimate words. Otherwise, why didn't she tell me in person, but asked Xiren to tell it to me? She must be a shy girl.

Baoyu was so obsessed with his own thoughts that he didn't pay attention to what Xiren meant by "regardless of whether we succeed or not"...

Xiren said: "Miss Lin asked me to tell you to listen to your master's teachings, concentrate on your studies, and go to school as soon as possible so that you can make a name for yourself in the imperial examinations in the future.

In the future, the second master will be able to take care of the family's career and economic affairs, and the second house will also have a figure like the second master to support the family.

If Second Master really has such a promising future, Miss Lin will pray for Second Master from afar even if she is in the south."

Xiren sighed and said, "Miss Lin is really an educated person. What she said is really pleasing to the ear and every word is reasonable. The Second Master has always wanted to be on good terms with Miss Lin.

If I had learned Miss Lin's mindset earlier, I would have become very successful by now."

Xiren was a little emotional when she spoke, and she had a bit of the addiction of Sanniang teaching her son. Suddenly, she heard Bihen's exclamation: "Second Master, what's wrong with you?"

……

Xiren looked over hurriedly and saw that Baoyu's face was ashen and his whole body seemed frozen.

He murmured to himself, mumbling like a nightmare: "My sister actually said such a thing, she actually said such a thing..."

In fact, in the past, Daiyu could not stand Baoyu's nagging and would say a few words about studying and learning, hoping to interrupt and scare him off, but they were just casual remarks.

Baoyu's character was somewhat similar to that of his grandmother, and after hearing these unpleasant words, he forgot about them after a day or two.

But the situation today is completely different.

Baoyu first listened to what Lin Ruhai said, and in his mind, a good son-in-law must be someone who can pass the imperial examinations and be a great warrior, which made Baoyu feel very ashamed.

Although he kept saying that he came and went naked without any worries, it was just an excuse for being lazy and dissolute.

Since he claims to be carefree, he should not covet a beautiful lady like Daiyu. Even if he did covet her, he has no responsibility to back her up. Now that his identity has been exposed, he must feel ashamed inside.

Hearing that Lin Ruhai would take Daiyu back to the south next year and plan to arrange Daiyu's life in the south, Baoyu was even more terrified. He felt that all his beautiful dreams seemed to be burned to ashes.

Finally, I heard Daiyu's "parting message" in such a serious and solemn manner, which I had never heard before.

Concentrate on studies, go to school as soon as possible, succeed in the imperial examination, have a career in officialdom and economy, and set up a family of their own - these are the words that scare him the most.

It was like a series of huge drumsticks, continuously, repeatedly, and vigorously hitting his broken drum.

Not only did it make him feel ashamed, panic-stricken and inferior, but it also tore apart, shattered and trampled upon all his hypocritical disguises, arrogance and narcissism, and absurd words and deeds.

All he could do was avoid the sharp edge, timidly escape, and be powerless to stand up...

Xiren, Qiu Wen and the others saw that Baoyu was instantly reduced to a walking corpse by these words, his body stiff and only uttering the same sentence over and over again.

At this moment, he was sweating, his face was purple and swollen, his eyes were staring blankly, and white foam was coming out of the corners of his mouth.

Amid the terrified shouts of Xiren and others, Baoyu fell facedown like a rotten tree stump.

……

Xiren, Qiu Wen and others were frightened half to death. They rushed forward to hold the unconscious Baoyu and dragged him to the bed.

The maids came forward and kept calling Baoyu's name, but saw that his eyes were still staring blankly and he could not speak. He did not even cry out in pain when they pinched him, and he looked as if he was half dead.

Xiren was so frightened that she collapsed on the ground. Thinking that because of what she had just said, the Second Master was going to be suffocated to death, she knew that she had caused a great disaster.

Musk Moon, who was working outside the door, heard the loud noise in the house and hurried in. When she saw Baoyu's appearance, she was also frightened.

But she was usually smart and capable, and calmer than others. She stepped forward and pushed Baoyu a few times, but seeing that he was like a dead man with no reaction, she felt sad.

At this time, Bihen was so scared that she was crying, Xiren was also at a loss, and the other maids were either trembling or sobbing, none of them had any correct ideas.

Qiu Wen thought that she was the first one to announce the good news to Baoyu, and originally thought that it would be a great success, but she didn't expect that in the end there would be nothing at all. In the final analysis, it was Xiren who defeated the Second Master with her words.

She was filled with resentment, and she jumped up and shouted, "It's all Xiren's fault. She made Second Master angry to death with her words. I'm going to tell the old lady and the mistress!"

Sheyue came up and grabbed Qiu Wen, pushed her to the ground, and shouted, "Don't think we don't know what you are thinking. It's already this hour, and you are still thinking about biting others.

You think you can get away with it by filing a complaint. If the Second Master is killed, none of the maids in this room will survive!"

Musk Moon calmed Qiu Wen down and had the courtyard gate closed. She then discussed with Xiren and went to find Baoyu's wet nurse, Li Ma, in person to ask her to come and see Baoyu.

Although Nanny Li was dismissed from her job by Lady Wang because of the maple dew tea incident, she was not allowed to work in the mansion. Because she had nursed Baoyu since he was a child, Rongguo Mansion placed her in a house in the back street.

Because Nanny Li was an experienced old woman and had knowledge of matters of life and death, Musk Moon quickly walked out of the yard, opened the back corner door, and in less than a cup of tea, she dragged Nanny Li into the mansion.

When Aunt Li heard that something had happened to Baoyu, she was also shocked. She crawled into Baoyu's room, and when she saw Baoyu looking like a dead man, her heart sank.

Nanny Li came forward and called Baoyu, but he refused. She touched his pulse with her hand and pinched his philtrum. The marks left by her fingers were so deep, but Baoyu didn't feel any pain.

Nanny Li exclaimed loudly, "This is terrible!" and then she hugged Baoyu and burst into tears.

……

Originally, Musk Moon thought that Baoyu was just confused and still had a glimmer of hope in his heart, so she suppressed Qiu Wen to prevent things from getting out of control.

But now seeing the look on Li Ma's face, and knowing that she was an experienced person, she knew that things were really bad, and now even she was frightened to the point of collapsing on the ground.

Fortunately, Musk Moon was still quite strong. After relaxing a little, she crawled in front of Xiren.

He said to Xiren, who was absent-minded and only knew how to cry, "Sister Xiren, now the matter can no longer be concealed, and we have to report it to our superiors.

You know the reason of the matter, you must explain it to the old lady. I will go with you. It's just a death anyway!
If we let others shout it out first, we will still die, but it will be an embarrassing death. We have served the Second Master for a long time, and now our fate is over, we must die with dignity!"

After hearing what Musk Moon said, Xiren was suddenly awakened. She stared at Qiu Wen fiercely and felt that what Musk Moon said made a lot of sense.

Musk Moon asked Bi Hen to go find a doctor quickly, and she and Xiren supported each other and stumbled to Rongqing Hall to report the news.

Not long after, footsteps came from outside Baoyu's yard. Grandmother Jia, supported by Yuanyang and followed by four or five trusted maids, came in crying.

The news of Baoyu's accident spread quickly in Rongguo Mansion. Wang Xifeng was also shocked when she heard the news. She was not feeling well, so she asked Ping'er to take people to check it out and also sent someone to go to the east courtyard to report the news.

When Wu'er heard that Xiren had been to the East Palace before Baoyu's accident, she became more worried and hurried back to the East Palace to report the news.

The two Jia family mansions, the East and the West, stirred up a commotion... (End of this chapter)