Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

The fifteenth year of Jiazhao, April 15th, Earl's Mansion.

It was still late spring, the weather was clear, the sky was blue, and the Huifang Garden was full of colorful flowers and green willows, creating a pleasant scenery.

In the early morning, Daiyu took Zijuan and walked along the winding path in the garden. The morning breeze blew her skirt, her delicate face and black hair were fragrant, and her step-shaking hair ornaments swayed.

The waterside pavilion is surrounded by clear and rushing water, and vines are hanging low on the hedges. Although the buds on the magnolia branches have fallen, the trees are already covered with green leaves, making the area look even greener and fresher.

When Daiyu entered Jia Cong's yard, she saw Lingguan watering the flower garden and Wu'er walking out of the main house carrying a copper basin.

When she saw Daiyu, she smiled and said, "Miss Lin, you came at an unfortunate time. The Third Master left the house early this morning."

Daiyu was slightly startled when she heard this and asked, "Brother San left home so early, did he go to the firearms workshop outside the city?"

The reason why Daiyu asked this was that after the imperial examination, Jia Cong had some free time, and was often visited by officials and craftsmen from the firearms workshop.

Every time someone came to the house, his third brother would discuss things for a long time in the outer courtyard. After returning to the inner courtyard, he would often fiddle with some complicated drawings in the study.

Once, Daiyu was very curious when she saw it, and Jia Cong told her that the Firearms Department had been developing new firearms since last year.

Daiyu never asked about Jia Cong's official affairs, so she just heard about it. However, several times afterwards, Jia Cong went to the workshop outside the city early in the morning.

That is why Daiyu asked this question. Besides, by the end of April, Jia Cong's six-month mourning period will be over, and he will have to return to the post of Director of the Firearms Bureau again.

Wu Er said, "It doesn't look like that. When the Third Master went to the Firearms Department, he always brought blueprints and some strange things with him, but today he went out empty-handed.

Besides, at noon today, the East Courtyard will hold a birthday banquet for Master Bao. The old lady and the second master will be present, so the third master will definitely show up as well.

Miss Lin, why don't you go sit in the study? It may not be long before the Third Master comes back."

Daiyu did not go to the study, but sat on the corridor in Jia Cong's courtyard, chatted with Wu'er and Lingguan for a while, then said goodbye and returned to her own courtyard.

……

She had just walked halfway when she heard someone calling her from behind. She turned around and saw Jia Cong coming towards her with a smile on his face, holding a wooden box in his hand.

Daiyu smiled and said, "I just went to Third Brother's courtyard to talk to you. I waited for you for a long time but there was no sign of you. How come you are back now? It was Wu'er who told you that I was here."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "When I returned to the inner courtyard, I didn't go back to my own courtyard, but went directly to my sister. I made something fun for her."

Daiyu smiled charmingly and asked, "What interesting and rare things do you have? Bring them out so I can see them."

When Jia Cong held Daiyu's hand, Daiyu just subconsciously struggled and let him hold it. Zijuan, who was behind her, saw this and smiled, then hurriedly followed him.

The two of them passed the Dengxian Pavilion and sat down on rocks beside a waterside pavilion surrounded by pink peach blossoms and green willows.

Jia Cong opened the wooden box in his hand and took out a colorful cube from it. It shone brightly in the sunlight and was very beautiful.

Daiyu and Zijuan behind her couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Daiyu took the thing from Jia Cong and found that the block was made up of small squares, each of which was inlaid with gemstones and jade pieces, and felt cool and smooth to the touch.

The red one is agate, the green one is jadeite, the white one is fat jade, the blue one is lapis lazuli, the pink one is garnet, and the transparent one is crystal...

Daiyu counted carefully and found that the block was inlaid with gemstones of six different colors.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Sister, have you forgotten? The last time I saw you playing the Nine-Ring Chain, you've been playing with it since you were a kid. I told you that you'd get tired of it, so I made you a new toy."

Daiyu's eyes lit up and she smiled, "Could this be the magic cube of the Western barbarians that Third Brother mentioned?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Sister, you have a really good memory. You remember it so clearly. The Rubik's Cube is a Western toy. I have looked for many shops but couldn't find a craftsman who could make it. Most people have never heard of it.

A few days ago, I went to a firearms workshop outside the city to do some business, and when I returned to the city, I accidentally discovered a shop owned by the Oros people.

That shop not only repairs Western clocks and watches, but also makes exquisite Western jewelry and utensils. However, the business is very poor and it looks like it will soon close down.

I also tried to ask about the Rubik's Cube. Although the Orosi shop owner didn't know about it, he was skilled. I told him the structure of the Rubik's Cube, and he was confident that he could make it.

I asked him to make one for me. The inside of the Rubik's Cube is made of wood, and I asked him to inlay the outside with various gemstones and jade pieces, so that it would look better and more fun."

Jia Cong took the Rubik's Cube from Daiyu and played with it skillfully in his hands.

As the Rubik's Cube turned in Jia Cong's hands, the surface was inlaid with various gemstones and jade pieces, reflecting magnificent and magical light in the spring sunshine, which made people dizzy.

At this time, the spring breeze was blowing beside the waterside pavilion, and petals were falling from the peach trees above, covering Jia Cong and Daiyu.

Daiyu stood next to Jia Cong, staring at him playing with the Rubik's Cube with her bright eyes. The small squares of various colors were spinning rapidly, and the bizarre and colorful things attracted all her attention.

Jia Cong hadn't played with this thing for many years. While thinking, he kept twisting the Rubik's Cube. He smelled the fragrance of falling peach blossoms and the intoxicating sweet fragrance of Daiyu, and was very intoxicated.

The Rubik's Cube spun in his hand for a long time before it stopped. Daiyu was curious and took it from Jia Cong to play with it.

It was discovered that after Jia Cong turned the Rubik's Cube, the small squares on each side had the same color. Under the sunlight, the colors became more concentrated and brilliant, making people unable to put it down.

Daiyu imitated Jia Cong, twisting and scrambling the Rubik's Cube, and then trying to restore it to its original shape. Jia Cong stood by her side and gave her careful guidance.

The two of them had a lot of fun, laughing from time to time, sitting together, whispering to each other.

Zijuan, who was standing by, became nervous, her eyes darting around. It was broad daylight, and the Third Master and the young lady were so intimate. It would not be a good idea for the servants passing by to see them...

Even when the sun began to rise higher, Jia Cong and Daiyu were still playing with the Rubik's Cube, and they were very fascinated by it.

Zijuan said, "Third Master, Miss, today is Second Master Bao's birthday party, and it's getting late, why don't we go out first and play again when we come back."

Daiyu seemed a little lazy and said, "It's just Baoyu's birthday. What matters is whether all the guests he invited have arrived.

Our brothers and sisters don’t need to worry even if they are late.”

Zijuan smiled and said, "It's right for the young lady not to be anxious, but the Third Master is now the head of the family, and many people are watching his actions. There is also the Second Master's face involved, so he has to show up earlier.

If the Third Master arrives late, he will avoid gossip. "

After hearing what Zijuan said, Daiyu felt it made sense. If her third brother went late, no one would say anything, but her second aunt would definitely be unhappy. It was better to have less trouble than more, so she stood up.

He smiled and said, "Third brother, let's go now. Let's go call Second sister and the others, and let's all go together in your car."

Jia Cong asked, "Did you invite many guests to Baoyu's birthday banquet in the East Courtyard today?"

Daiyu said, "I paid my respects to the old lady yesterday, and heard that my second aunt had sent invitations to all the old relatives in the family, and they were similar to the guests that my third brother invited that day..."

Although she had stood up, she was still holding the Rubik's Cube in her hand and was reluctant to put it down...

……

Rongguo Mansion, East Courtyard.

Jia Cong, accompanied by his maid Xiaohong, helped Yingchun, Daiyu and other sisters onto the carriage. They went out of the east corner gate, and the carriage stopped at the black oil-painted gate of the east courtyard and went towards the hanging flower gate of the inner courtyard.

Along the way, I saw servants passing by. Everyone had changed into new clothes, moved stools and held plates, and was rushing back and forth, appearing to be very busy.

When Jia Cong passed by the main hall, he saw some guests already sitting there, including Baoyu's uncle Wang Ziteng and Baoyu's cousin Xue Pan.

There were also a few unfamiliar faces, who seemed to be relatives of the Wang family in Beijing.

But he didn't see Jia Zheng, which was not surprising. As a father, it didn't make sense for him to show up at his son's birthday party.

Besides, Jia Zheng and Wang Ziteng had a cold relationship, so naturally they would avoid it if possible.

He also saw Baoyu entertaining guests in the main hall. He was wearing a red round-necked robe embroidered with golden lotus and a belt inlaid with fat jade and gems tied around his waist. His whole body was red and looked quite festive.

Even though they were some distance apart, Jia Cong could still see the reluctant and stiff expression on Baoyu's face when he was entertaining guests.

If he were in Rongguo Mansion and there were guests in the main hall, Jia Cong, as the head of the family, would naturally go to entertain them.

He was a guest in Dongluyuan today, so naturally there was no need for him to socialize.

Besides, Wang Ziteng was a gloomy and snobbish person. She was too lazy to deal with him, so she followed the sisters into the side hall of the inner courtyard.

The East Courtyard is a side courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion. As the head of the Jia family, he, like Baoyu, has just reached the age of dancing elephants. He is also Jia Zheng's nephew, so he does not have to worry too much about what is going on inside and outside.

However, Baoyu saw Daiyu and others passing by from afar, so he left the guests in the main hall and excitedly followed them into the inner hall. Along the way, he asked the sisters all kinds of questions, which looked a little funny.

However, Baoyu was somewhat disappointed that Jia Cong did not bring Wu'er, Qingwen and other pretty maids, but only brought Xiaohong to serve him.

He has always been envious of the maids around Jia Cong, but although Xiaohong was also good-looking, ever since that day in Rong Xi Tang, Xiaohong had been talking to him about official careers and economics.

Baoyu despised Xiaohong's behavior and kept his distance from this maid. Jia Cong was indeed a parasite. He took her with him when he went out without taking other maids with him. Baoyu was naturally not interested in her at all...

……

Jia Cong entered the side hall of the inner courtyard and saw Aunt Xue and Baochai also present.

Tanchun was also sitting nearby. Today was her brother Baoyu's birthday, so naturally she came early in the morning to help with the preparations.

When Baochai and Tanchun saw their sisters coming, they greeted them with a smile and sat aside to talk in low voices.

Jia Cong saw that everyone in this side hall was familiar to his family, except for a woman in luxurious clothes and a beautiful and dignified girl, who were not family members.

Jia Cong also recognized these two people. They had come to Mrs. Wang’s birthday party last time. They were the mother and daughter of the Guihua Xia family.

Jia Cong couldn't help but look at the beautiful and seemingly dignified girl, because to him, Xia Jingui was too famous, and he was always curious every time he saw her.

At this time, Mrs. Wang didn't talk much to her sister, but she was chatting happily with Mrs. Xia.

Jia Cong didn't know if he was being too sensitive, but when Lady Wang and Mrs. Xia were chatting, he often looked at Miss Xia with a strange warmth in his eyes...

Jia Cong followed the etiquette of a younger generation and went forward to greet Aunt Xue and Madam Wang.

Aunt Xue had a smile on her face and spoke kindly as she chatted with Jia Cong.

In response to Jia Cong's greeting, Mrs. Wang just nodded slightly, with a reserved smile on her face, and it seemed that her attention was still on chatting with Mrs. Xia.

Jia Cong was accustomed to Mrs. Wang's behavior and didn't take it to heart at all. He came today just to save face because of family etiquette.

He responded to the formalities and then sat down among the sisters to talk.

……

The Xia family received an invitation from Mrs. Wang a few days ago. According to Miss Xia's personality, she had no interest in attending the birthday party of the effeminate Baoyu.

However, under her mother's urging and coaxing, Miss Xia still came, but she didn't come for Baoyu's birthday party...

Ever since Miss Xia sat down in the side hall of the inner courtyard, on the surface she was still such a beautiful, dignified, and impeccable-mannered lady, which made Mrs. Wang like her more and more.

But from the moment she sat down, her heart was no longer as calm as it appeared, because she knew that it was Baoyu's birthday, and Jia Cong, as the head of the family and his cousin, would definitely come to the party.

Now Miss Xia has become clear-headed, although she looks down on Baoyu and hates the second wife of the Jia family.

But as long as she gets close to this family, she will be able to see Jia Cong in an intimate way!

At this moment, she saw Jia Cong and Mrs. Wang greeting each other, but Mrs. Wang's attitude was deliberately cold, and she couldn't help feeling unfair.

I heard that Mrs. Jia was from a noble family in Jinling. She should have been a respectable person. However, I didn't expect that she was not only stupid enough to eat dirt, but also was teased and played with by her mother at will. That would have been fine.

She is so uneducated. Jia Cong is her nephew and has such a noble status. He is not only a nobleman with two titles, but also the head of the two mansions of their Jia family.

People observed the etiquette of the younger generation and went up to her to greet and talk to her, but Mrs. Jia acted arrogantly and ignored them.

He is such an old thief that he doesn't behave like an elder at all. He is as old as a dog!

Miss Xia cursed Mrs. Wang in her heart, but when she thought of Jia Cong, she felt that he was an even better man. Such a respectable man, so polite and considerate in his behavior, what a genuine person he was.

……

The last time she and her mother came to the birthday party of Mrs. Jia, she met Jia Cong face to face for the first time, and he even spoke to her.

After returning home that day, Miss Xia was like a possessed person, recalling the details of that time countless times, and was extremely unable to extricate herself...

She clearly remembered every move Jia Cong made and every word he said, even though it was just a polite remark.

"Miss Xia, you are too polite. Today is our second wife's birthday party. It would be rude for us brothers and sisters to leave for too long to talk. We are going to return to the table now. Miss Xia, please go first..."

This sentence was expressed in polite words, with a clear distance between them. But even so, every time when the night was quiet, it would often go back and forth in Miss Xia's mind.

His voice was so clear and gentle, and seemed to have a heart-breaking magic. Even such a polite remark sounded so nice to him.

Whenever Miss Xia recalled it, she always felt that it was not a polite remark, but a touching love remark that made her feel infatuated...

As soon as she entered the inner courtyard of the East Courtyard, her heart was immersed in anticipation and joy. It seemed that everything in the world became insignificant in the face of this feeling.

This strange feeling seemed to penetrate deep into her bones, making her hopeless, yet it also made her obsessed and unwilling to let go. She was willing to immerse herself in it and was unwilling to extricate herself...

Until she saw Jia Cong and the Jia sisters walking into the side hall in elegant clothes, their unparalleled beautiful appearance and clear and wise demeanor seemed to satisfy her instantly...

Moreover, Jia Cong seemed a little different when they met this time. Miss Xia noticed that he looked at her seriously.

His eyes are very beautiful, and their light is as deep as an autumn pond, seemingly able to capture people's hearts...

Miss Xia felt somewhat proud in her heart, as her appearance and figure were not inferior at all to those girls from the Jia family.

……

Just as Miss Xia was daydreaming and her mind was wandering, she looked up at Jia Cong again, and her excited mood seemed to turn cold all of a sudden.

It seemed that Jia Cong's glance back just now was just an illusion. Now he had no self in his eyes at all and was sitting there talking to a girl from the Jia family.

The girl was gentle and pretty, and her appearance and demeanor were as dazzling as Jia Cong.

She was holding a square object in her hand, which was inlaid with gems and jade pieces. She was playing with it in her delicate white palm, and it was flashing with brilliant light.

Miss Xia was very attentive to any girl who was close to Jia Cong. Last time she was at Mrs. Wang's birthday party, she remembered every girl in the Jia family clearly.

The girl who was playing with the toy in her hand was the granddaughter of the old lady of the Jia family. It was said that she was the only daughter of the Lianghuai Lin Salt Transport Company and the real cousin of Jia Cong.

The other girls in the Jia family are just Jia Cong's sisters or cousins, but Miss Xue and Miss Lin are his cousins, which makes Miss Xia very uncomfortable.

Baoyu followed Daiyu into the side hall and saw the magic cube in her hand. He asked curiously, "Sister Lin, what is this? It's so exquisite. Where did you get it from?"

Daiyu said with some pride: "My third brother gave it to me."

Baoyu originally wanted to ask, "Can Sister Lin be borrowed for me to play with?", but when he heard that it was Jia Cong who gave it to Daiyu, his face fell and he couldn't say it out loud.

Miss Xia heard Baoyu's effeminate question clearly, and Daiyu's reply was also very clear.

It turned out that the toy in the pretty girl's hand was specially given to her by Jia Cong. Miss Xia felt a sour feeling in her heart rushing to the top of her head, and she felt so disgusted and uncomfortable.

……

At this time, Mrs. Wang was chatting enthusiastically with Mrs. Xia, but she was a little cold towards her sister Aunt Xue.

Mrs. Wang was smiling and said, "Mrs. Xia, after the banquet is over, please stay for a while and we will go to the back garden for a stroll. I have something important to discuss with you.

Let your daughter stay in the backyard. I'll ask the third girl to chat with her and ask Baoyu to stay and take care of her as well."

Mrs. Xia saw that Mrs. Wang's face was full of smiles and joy. She even glanced at her daughter while speaking. The love and appreciation in her eyes were self-evident.

Mrs. Xia had some understanding in her mind. She thought that after all her circuitous tactics, she had finally made some progress...

He smiled and said, "That's great. I heard from my daughter that your back garden is newly renovated and the scenery is very elegant and quiet. I want to go there for a walk."

Although Mrs. Wang did not say this explicitly, her tone was unusually warm.

After all, girls like Yingchun and Daiyu had limited experience, so they just thought that Lady Wang and Mrs. Xia were just getting along, and didn't take it too seriously.

But Aunt Xue present was an experienced woman, and was very familiar with such trivial matters as family affairs and the ways of the world.

She knew that her sister had been thinking about Baoyu's marriage for the past six months.

The last time Cong'er celebrated his birthday, she and the old lady organized a party. Originally, they wanted to find a good match for Baoyu among the noble ladies. But it was said that they missed the target and lost face.

Now, seeing the ambiguous and passionate words between her elder sister and Mrs. Xia, and the lively young lady beside them, Aunt Xue understood immediately...

But even after figuring things out, Aunt Xue still felt a little unhappy. No wonder she had invited her sister to come over last time to look at the marriage with the Xia family.

As a result, the Xia family found an excuse from a fortune teller and tried to shirk the responsibility. Could it be that the elder sister was behind this?
Aunt Xue thought of her son Xue Pan and could not stop thinking about Miss Xia.

He must not know about this, otherwise if his silly son makes a scene, it will be embarrassing for the relatives... (End of this chapter)