Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Shenjing, Qingyufang, Xia Mansion.

Mrs. Xia's words were kind and festive, yet contained a bewitching undertone.

Ever since Mrs. Wang moved into the East Courtyard, she lost her status as the mistress of Rong State, and the status and position of servants like Mrs. Wang were also greatly reduced.

There were many old servants in the Rongguo Mansion who took advantage of the powerful to bully the weak. When they saw people like Wang Po every day, they often looked down on them.

Now that he sees that his eldest daughter has a promising future, if she can obtain a high position in the palace, his wife will be able to make a comeback, and maybe even become a royal relative in the future.

A dowry servant like myself can also rise to higher positions along with the rest of the family. It would be a relief to expose those black-hearted and short-sighted people in the West Mansion. Wouldn't that be satisfying?

Although Mrs. Wang was also a capable person, she had a master like Mrs. Wang, who was very cunning and scheming, so she was no match for Mrs. Xia.

Even if they were afraid of being sold out, they would still smile and help count the money.

Now, she just wanted to go back as soon as possible to tell Mrs. Wang the good news and please her wife.

Then he said many words of thanks to Mrs. Xia and left in a hurry.

When Miss Xia saw that Mrs. Wang had left the main hall, she asked, "Mother, the young eunuch clearly said this morning that something had happened to Jia Yuanchun, and that old eunuch Xia Shouzhong didn't dare to handle the matter.

Why are you still coaxing this old woman?"

Mrs. Xia said: "When I helped Mrs. Jia plan the affairs of the palace, I didn't do it to help her become a royal relative, but just to use it to get in touch with the Jia family.

If her daughter is really destined to become a concubine, our Xia family can also benefit from it.

Now even Xia Shouzhong doesn't dare to get involved in this matter, which means that Jia Yuanchun is in danger. It is the right thing for the Xia family to protect themselves by stopping this matter in time.

Whether this matter succeeds or not, it is of no concern to us.

But there was no need to let Mrs. Jia know the truth about this matter, otherwise all the favors that my mother had put in so much effort would have been wasted.

Although Mrs. Jia has big ideas, she was only the wife of an honorary official in the inner palace. She has no connections in the palace. So she has to believe whatever we say about this matter.

Our Xia family is an orphan and a widow, and we are a royal merchant family with only gold and silver.

Ever since your father passed away, your mother has been living a life of treading on thin ice, thinking every day about how to continue the Xia family's business and how to gain power for the family.

I didn't expect that the marriage proposal between my family and the Xue family would bring about such a strange opportunity.

According to common sense, a merchant family like the Xia family could never marry into the status of the Rongguo Jia family, so my mother had no choice but to use this crooked approach.

My daughter, I have made all these calculations for the sake of you and the Xia family’s future. Although Jia Baoyu is not outstanding, his status as the legitimate grandson of a duke is very serious…”

When Miss Xia heard this, she shouted unconvincedly, "Mother, why are you talking about Jia Baoyu again? His effeminate look makes me feel bored, and you keep picking up this kind of rubbish.

It's not like I can't get married, why do I have to marry someone like this?"

Mrs. Xia also felt a headache after hearing what her daughter said.

She naturally knew that her daughter still couldn't let go of Jia Cong and had been blinded by that man. Not to mention Baoyu, if it was anyone else, he would most likely be misled into picking up broken things.

She and Jia Cong had never even had a serious conversation, but she was so obsessed with that man. It was really unfair.

However, Mrs. Xia is not only shrewd and cunning, but also well versed in the ways of the world. She herself has been through it all, and knows that girls who have just fallen in love are obsessed with lust and cannot be persuaded by just a few words.

I was afraid that the more I dissuaded and reprimanded my daughter, the more she would fall in love with that man. I could only keep silent about the matter. As time went by, my daughter would probably forget about it without anyone to talk to.

Mrs. Xia had made up her mind to do this, so she naturally wouldn't agree with her daughter's words.

She said, "I won't force you to bow down to your own lifelong affairs, but I will take good care of this opportunity and leave a way for the Xia family and you in the future."

Miss Xia heard this, although she was reluctant, but she was happy that her mother and the Jia family were getting closer. Of course, she was not doing this for Jia Baoyu...

……

Rongguo Mansion, Baoyu Courtyard.

There was a faint smell of medicine in the main room. Baoyu sat in front of the desk, bored, writing and drawing casually with a brush, and then threw the brush into the inkstone in annoyance.

Musk Moon had a slender figure and a beautiful plain face. She wore a long vest with an embroidered collar on a murray green background, an ivory cross-collared jacket, and a frost-colored long skirt. She entered the room carrying a scarlet tray inlaid with shells.

On the tray was a white porcelain bowl with silver-plated patterns, filled with boiling medicinal soup.

Ever since that day when Xiren told him what had happened, Baoyu had been acting crazy and recklessly, hoping that his infatuation would win Daiyu's sympathy and favor.

Unexpectedly, Daiyu even showed up, making his narcissistic feelings go to waste.

In addition, Jia Zheng appeared in time and cursed Baoyu violently as a beast. Baoyu's behavior as a love-struck and crazy young man suddenly turned into a shameless look of running away in fear, which also ruined the scene.

Unexpectedly, although Jia Zheng was angry, he did not intend to let his ridiculous son off easily. On the third day after the incident, he ordered him to go to the East Courtyard to take an exam.

This kind of father-son relationship is natural among the noble families. Even if Lady Jia dotes on Baoyu, there is no reason to stop her.

After Baoyu left, Grandmother Jia sent two trusted maids to wait in the east courtyard to ensure that no one would know if anything happened.

However, over the years, whenever Jia Zheng tested Baoyu on his studies, the results were rarely satisfactory, and this time was no exception.

Baoyu was already too careless in his studies, and because he had lost his chance to meet Daiyu, he was extremely upset.

Even if there was still some food left in her stomach, most of it had been consumed due to her mental exhaustion. Coupled with Jia Zheng's oppressive power, the result was predictable.

The trusted maid sent by Lady Jia, with chicken feathers as her token of authority and with the help of Lady Wang, took Baoyu back to Rongguo Mansion. However, his hands had already been beaten with twenty sticks and were already red and swollen.

In the eyes of others, Jia Zheng did want to test Baoyu, but this beating seemed intentional, just to find out what happened to Baoyu for being crazy and pretending to be stupid that day.

After Baoyu returned to the West Mansion, he was said to have been frightened and hit by a cold wind, and fell ill that day. I don’t know if this is true or not…

Therefore, Grandmother Jia hung up a banner of exemption from war for Baoyu and sent someone to tell Jia Zheng to let Baoyu recuperate this month and go back to school when he was strong enough, and not to press him too hard, otherwise she would not allow him to cause trouble.

……

Baoyu escaped a disaster because of this, but he thought about the last time he acted crazy and recklessly because of Daiyu, but he didn't get any benefits and was humiliated by his father in public, which was really a loss of face.

So he used the excuse of recuperating to hide in his own yard.

The only thing that worried him was whether Sister Lin had recovered from her illness and whether she had come to visit the West Mansion. He even asked Xiren to find out privately.

Even though he had lost face because of his mischief that day, he still couldn't let go of the desire and expectation he had been having for many years. It was still a bit wishful thinking.

Xiren also realized in the past few days that Daiyu was not sick at all, but was just trying to avoid trouble. What she said to her was probably premeditated and she just got into trouble.

However, Xiren had no choice but to respond to Baoyu's instructions, so she often went out for a walk and came back to say that Miss Lin was still recuperating in the East Palace and had not come to the West Palace for a few days.

In fact, even if Daiyu came to the West Mansion, Xiren would most likely pretend not to see her.

After the incident that day, the old lady and the second master both said that the second master and Miss Lin were indeed not a good match, and their marriage was completely over.

In addition, because of Miss Lin, the Second Master was in such an embarrassing state. The Madam hated Miss Lin to death and it was even more impossible for her to let the Second Master and Miss Lin be together.

In Xiren's opinion, since it was a matter of losing everything, it would be better for everyone to just let it go. There was no need for her to look for an opportunity and let the Second Master provoke Miss Lin again.

If something goes wrong at that time, it will be out of control.

……

Baoyu was not completely stupid. He could see that Xiren seemed to have some concerns because of the previous twists and turns, and was somewhat unconcerned about Daiyu's affairs.

When he saw Musk Moon bringing the medicine over, his heart couldn't help but move slightly.

Among the maids around Baoyu, Xiren had done something with Baoyu a long time ago. Also, she was known as the maid in the old lady's room, so she was superior to others in Baoyu's room both in public and private matters.

Bihen and Qiu Wen also wanted to stick to Baoyu. One of them succeeded with Baoyu a long time ago, but the other one has not succeeded yet.

Only Musk Moon was a little different. She was just as smart and capable as Xiren, but she never fought for anything, nor did she rush to please Baoyu.

He has always done his duty and been at ease on his own, with a demeanor of being strong without desires.

Therefore, Xiren also trusted and was close to Sheyue, and although Qiu Wen was somewhat powerful, she did not dare to provoke her easily.

Baoyu also knew that Musk Moon was a sharp-tongued person and was efficient and meticulous in her work, no worse than Xiren.

……

Baoyu said, "Mushuyue, I have been recuperating in my room, and I don't know what is going on outside. You often come and go, do you know whether Sister Lin has recovered from her illness? Have you come to pay your respects to the old lady recently?"

Sheyue was also a smart person, and after hearing this she smiled and said, "Second Master has been ill these days, and I have been busy in the yard, rarely going out, and I haven't paid attention to Miss Lin's affairs.

Second Master is well aware that Miss Lin has been weak since she was young, and whenever she is sick she always has to rest for ten days or half a month, so she is probably still being nursed back to health in the East Palace."

Baoyu was worried that no one had asked about Daiyu because Xiren was indifferent to her affairs. He was also worried about Qiu Wen and Bi Hen, but he felt more at ease because She Yue behaved smartly.

She said, "Why don't you go out for a walk, or pay a visit to the East Palace. As long as you can get some news about Sister Lin, it will be enough. I will always remember your kindness." Seeing that Baoyu did not call her by her name, Musk Moon changed her words and called her sister. Having been a maid for so many years, she naturally knew his romantic methods.

The last time Xiren went to the East Palace, she caused such a big trouble. With Musk Moon's smartness, there is no way she would get involved in such muddy water.

She smiled and said, "Second Master, I am only qualified to move around in the West Palace. I can only step into the East Palace. Since Third Master established the palace, I have never been to the East Palace.

The servants there don't know who I am. I heard that the Third Master is very strict in managing his household and ordinary people are not allowed to enter or leave the inner courtyard at will. If I go there, I will be beaten out.

Besides, the last incident was a big deal, and Zijuan was also present that day. Miss Lin must know what happened, and she may be unhappy with us now.

If I go to the East Palace in such a hurry and with a pale face, people will see me and despise me. What's the point?

Second Master, please save me some face and let me avoid being embarrassed. I am a stupid person, Second Master, you can just ask me to serve tea and water, but I can't do other things well, so as not to cause trouble for Second Master."

When Baoyu heard Musk Moon say that Daiyu disliked him and that she was disliked after going to the East Palace, he felt even more sad, but he did not give up after all.

He said, "I also know that it's not easy to enter the East Palace, and I don't want to embarrass you, so you just go to Rongqing Hall and ask your acquaintances if Sister Lin has come to visit.

It also saves me from having to worry about Sister Lin every day. My body is not in good condition, and no one in this world understands my feelings. "

When Musk Moon heard this, she thought of the incident that Baoyu had caused that day, and suddenly felt an unprecedented discomfort in her heart.

Things have come to this, why is the Second Master still in this state...

……

In fact, that day, Musk Moon knew the whole story just like Xiren. She felt that Second Master should stop daydreaming about Miss Lin. That was the serious thing to do. It was impossible anyway, so why bother to argue about it.

However, she felt that Baoyu was not completely useless. At least it was nice to ask a maid to do a job for him, and she couldn't just refuse to do it.

Musk Moon said: "My wife is very strict now, I don't dare to go out unless it's something important.

Last time, Xiaohong just went out for a walk, but someone told her about it and she was kicked out. I don't dare to suffer this punishment.

Xiaohong still has my parents to protect her, Second Master, if I get kicked out, I won’t be able to come back.”

Baoyu smiled and said, "Just go and have a look without any worries. If anyone asks me, I will just say that I have something to ask you to go."

Musk Moon smiled and said, "That's fine, I'll go there and Second Master can just take care of it for me."

Sheyue took the medicine bowl from the tray and placed it on the table, saying, "I just boiled this medicine. Drink it while it's hot, Master. Take the empty bowl when I come back."

After she finished speaking, she turned around and walked out of the room gracefully. Baoyu looked at the bowl of steaming medicine, picked it up and smelled it, then frowned and poured the medicine into the flowerpot.

He's not really sick, why would he drink bitter medicine? He might even get diarrhea...

……

Not long after Musk Moon left the house, Baoyu heard footsteps in the yard outside. The door curtain was lifted and he saw Mrs. Wang coming in with a smile.

He asked, "My son, have you felt better after taking the medicine these days?"

Baoyu was a little surprised to see that his mother was in particularly good spirits and looked very happy, completely different from the sad and unhappy look she had been wearing recently.

He said, "He has gotten a little better after taking the medicine, but he is still a little uncomfortable. I will take good care of my son and wait until he is fully recovered, so as not to make my wife worry."

Mrs. Wang smiled and said, "You haven't recovered yet, so just rest and take care of yourself. I will only go to the master to talk."

She then took Baoyu's hands to look at them. Seeing that the redness and swelling had disappeared, Mrs. Wang felt relieved.

She said earnestly, "Baoyu, I am almost fifty years old, and the only ones I can count on for the rest of my life are you and your elder sister.

Your elder sister has been in the palace for nine years. Now she is on the verge of a bright future. You should also fight for me. Spend more time on studying and don't always make your father angry.

The father and son are always fighting, which is not decent to watch. You should work hard and concentrate on your studies in the past two years. You don't have to pass the imperial examination and become the top scholar.

As long as you can go to school, it will be enough. When your elder sister becomes respectable in the future, she will have a reason to help you, her brother. If others can become respectable officials, we can do it too!"

Baoyu felt a little uncomfortable when he saw his mother suddenly speaking with great ambition. Her words were all about studying hard, taking the imperial examination, and becoming a respectable official.

Baoyu felt a cry of grief in his heart. He was still frightened by the punishment he received from his master. How could he not even worry about his wife? She kept talking about official career and economics. How could she not let him live?

Xiren, who had been following her all the time, was a little surprised when she heard what Mrs. Wang said.

Madam, what you said is so nonsensical and weird. The eldest girl has been in the palace for nine years, and she will be able to leave next year when she reaches ten years.

In the early years, the family had been sending money to the palace, hoping to help the eldest daughter gain a higher position in the harem, but nothing has happened over the years.

Ever since Third Master Cong inherited the family business, he has said that for the sake of family stability, he will no longer plan a future for the eldest daughter. The old lady and the master both agree to this.

Could it be that a young lady leaving the palace can also be considered to have a promising future? This doesn't make sense...

……

Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong Courtyard.

In the backyard behind the main house, a water room was built, which was divided into two rooms, front and back. An iron pot stove was placed in the back room, and fresh water was brought in from outside to boil.

The front room was much more elegantly built, with smooth walls inlaid with polished foundation stones, and a spacious jujube wood bathtub in the middle.

There was a movable air vent on the ceiling of the room. Against the wall was a wooden cabinet for storing clothes and utensils. On the wall were polished wooden hooks, on which hung two long gowns and dresses.

This bathroom is the only one in the East and West Mansions, and was built entirely according to Jia Cong's wishes. At first, Zhishao, Qingwen and others all felt it was a bit strange, but after using it, they all said it was excellent.

That day, Jia Cong read for half a day, had lunch, and then went into the bathroom to take a bath. At this time, he was lying in a jujube wood bathtub filled with hot soup. The steaming heat made him a little drowsy.

Apart from her coat, Wu'er was only wearing a soft cotton dress from Songjiang. She had taken off the hairpins on her head. Her pretty little face was steaming with two blushes, making her look even more charming and beautiful.

She untied Jia Cong's bun and used the Xinchun perfume soap to make thick foam on Jia Cong's hair.

She rubbed Jia Cong's hair with her slender fingers, then scooped hot water with a ladle and rinsed it carefully.

She tilted her head to glance at Jia Cong, and saw that his eyes were slightly closed, his eyebrows and eyes were moist and handsome, and he looked even more handsome than when he was a child, and she couldn't help but smile slightly.

He said, "Third Master, a few days ago, Second Madam heard that Madam was selling off the property in the dowry shop, and she became curious, so she asked Lin Zhixiao's wife to find out a little.

It was said that the second wife had been away from the Xia family for a long time recently. About eight or nine days ago, the wife took a carriage to the Xia family and brought four servants with her. It seemed that she had important things with her and her behavior was a little strange.

Early this morning, Lin Zhixiao's wife came again to say that the wife's dowry, Mrs. Wang, had gone out with a lot of gifts, and the direction the carriage was heading was the direction of Qingyufang."

Jia Cong opened his eyes and asked curiously, "What does Qingyufang mean?"

Wu Er said, “The residence of the Guihua Xia family is located in Qingyufang.”

Jia Cong looked thoughtful and said, "Could it be that Madam's selling of materials is related to the Guihua Xia family? This sounds a bit strange."

Wu Er said, "Lin Zhixiao's wife got the Second Madam's order and went around asking the people in the East Courtyard, but they couldn't tell the truth. They all said that only Mrs. Wang who served the Madam knew the details.

But Mrs. Wang is the Madam’s confidant, and she keeps her mouth shut. Even if Lin Zhixiao’s wife is very capable, she won’t be able to find out the details.”

Jia Cong said: "If you can't find out, don't ask. Now the second house is no longer the main branch of Rongguo Mansion. Even if the wife does something behind the scenes, according to her personality, she can't cause any big trouble.

She likes to mess around with her own private property, and no one else can interfere. If something really happens, it will be difficult to involve the West Mansion, so just let her do it."

Wu Er said, "I went back to the West Mansion this afternoon and told Second Madam what Third Master said. Just ignore this matter."

She smiled again and said, "In the morning, Third Master was reading in the study, and Xiao Hong brought a basket of green tangerines over, saying that it was a gift from a relative of the Lin family who had returned from Quanzhou, and that she was bringing it for Third Master to taste.

Let Qingwen pack the things, and wait for the Third Master to go out and try them. They are very delicious..."

……

Rongguo Mansion, Rongxi Hall.

After receiving Baoyu's instructions, Musk Moon went out of the yard and headed towards Rongqing Hall.

In fact, she and Xiren had the same idea and were very disapproving of Baoyu's attempt to involve Miss Lin.

It's just a matter of going out for a while and coming back to complete the task.

She looked like she was heading in the direction of Rongqing Hall. Halfway through her walk, she passed Rongxi Hall and stopped. Seeing that no one was around, she turned into the gate.

When Xiaohong worked in Baoyu's courtyard, Musk Moon became good friends with her. When Xiaohong was driven away by Mrs. Wang, it was Musk Moon who helped her pack her luggage and showed her the way.

Ever since Xiaohong became the maid in charge of Rongxi Hall, Musk Moon has been afraid of Lady Wang's power and the presence of spies like Qiu Wen in Baoyu's courtyard, so she has never dared to hang out with Xiaohong.

Now that I have received Baoyu's instructions to go out, I can take the opportunity to go and see Xiaohong.

Moreover, Xiaohong is now Jia Cong's maid. As long as he asks her, he will know Daiyu's situation and give Baoyu a reply later... (End of this chapter)