Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong Courtyard.

Zhishao saw Jia Cong's eyes, clear as a deep pool, staring at her with a gentle smile.

In their daily lives, the two of them often whispered to each other, laughed and joked without restraint, and were very close.

I don't know why, but every time I meet his gaze, my heart feels inexplicably hot...

She couldn't help blushing and said, "I thought the Third Master would be away from the yamen for some time, so I had time to wash my hair."

Jia Cong glanced around and asked curiously, "Why is it so quiet? Where are they going?"

Zhishao said quickly: "They are all at home, all...all taking a nap."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "The sun is about to set, why are you still taking a nap? You have become a lazy girl."

Zhishao couldn't help but chuckle. Qingwen, who was hiding behind the door of the wing room and eavesdropping, muttered unconvincedly, "Who is the lazy girl? She sent someone to do something wrong when she wasn't around. Humph!"

Jia Cong saw that Zhishao's long hair fell over her slender waist, swirling in wet circles. Her hair was dark and shiny, which made her eyebrows look like indigo, her skin like jade, and her eyes like water.

Smiling, he said, "Now that the sun has set, it's not as warm as it was in the afternoon. Be careful not to get your hair caught in the wind."

As he said this, he took the cotton cloth from her hand, walked behind her, wrapped it around her hair and rubbed it carefully.

Zhishao's pretty face became more and more rosy, but she was reluctant to stop him, so she squinted her eyes and let him rub her wet hair.

The afterglow of the setting sun was orange, red and warm, casting a bright hue on the entire yard, shining on the two of them, making them look unusually intimate and warm.

The beautiful hair rubbed dry with cotton cloth fluttered gently in the evening breeze, exuding a refreshing fragrance and gleaming in the setting sun.

Lingguan and Douguan in the side room saw the actions of the two people outside through the crack in the door, and there was some envy in their eyes.

Douguan seemed to regret it a bit, and said, "If I had known, I wouldn't have hidden. I would have asked the Third Master to wipe my hair as well."

Lingguan couldn't help laughing when she heard her pretending to be an adult, and said, "You are so young, but you want the Third Master to wipe your hair. You have no shame."

Douguan was not convinced and said, "Sister Zhishao can do it, why can't I?"

Lingguan smiled and said, "Because Third Master and Sister Zhishao are best friends, it's naturally possible."

Douguan looked outside again and saw that the Third Master was wiping his hair and saying something nice, which made Sister Zhishao laugh.

He said, "Xiaofu, don't you want to be friends with the Third Master? The Third Master doesn't ask anyone else to come, but asks you to rub his head and shoulders, and you two even hide in the study to sing little songs.

Next time, you can let the Third Master wipe your hair, so that we can feel proud of it too."

Lingguan blushed and scolded with a smile: "You are really a little devil, your mind is full of weird things, I don't know what you are thinking, there is a difference between being good and being good."

Douguan looked confused and said, "Xiaofu, what are you talking about? I am confused."

Lingguan smiled and didn't respond, thinking that Sister Zhishao was naturally different. She had offered tea to the old lady of the West Mansion and was already the Third Master's person...

Naturally, all the sisters in the courtyard knew about this matter. In the first few days, they even used it to tease Zhishao and Wu'er, but later no one mentioned it anymore. This was a normal thing in the mansion.

But this matter arouses some charming fantasies and some embarrassing thoughts in every girl's heart. At the age of 18, it is inevitable for a girl to have too many thoughts.

In the days that followed, whenever Zhishao and Wu'er were on night duty, the others would whisper to each other and look at them in ambiguous and inquiring ways.

Zhishao and Wu'er felt somewhat embarrassed and annoyed when they saw this, but all they got in return was the playful laughter of others, which added a bit of weird fun to the yard.

But Lingguan knew clearly that the Third Master had been entertaining guests every day in the past few days. He would come back from the West Mansion at sunset, smelling of alcohol and feeling tired. He would often go to bed after washing up.

Later, the third master worked in a workshop outside the city every day and was often busy until dark before returning home. He was also given the position of Hanlin official, so he had even more things to do and was busy all day long.

There seemed to be no movement in the Third Master's room. Sister Zhishao had a cold once, so Lingguan was asked to take over the night duty.

Everything seemed to be normal, and there didn't seem to be any dirty talk in the Third Master's room that the maids in the inner courtyard said in private...

Qingwen whispered these allusions to Lingguan in private, and Lingguan would blush and her heart would beat fast every time she thought of them.

She couldn't help herself when she thought about this, so she gently pushed open the door and saw that the Third Master had helped Zhishao dry her hair.

He also picked up Sister Zhishao's washbasin, and the two of them went back to the main room together, looking indescribably intimate.

……

When it was getting dark, Wu'er came back from the West Mansion and asked Shang Lingguan to prepare dinner together.

Everyone sat around the big table in the main room, talking and eating together.

Jia Cong saw that Qingwen, Yinglian, Lingguan and others had their hair not completely dry, so they just tied it up loosely in a bun. He smiled slightly and didn't say anything.

Qingwen picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in Jia Cong's bowl.

Seeing Jia Cong putting the meat into his mouth and eating it with great relish, she said, "Third Master, you left the court early today, and I didn't see you come in.

At that time, I was doing needlework in the house. Now that the weather is hot, I want to make you two soft smoke lining clothes so that you can sleep cooler at night. "

Qingwen talked for a long time, but she was still a little bothered by the title of lazy girl, so she couldn't help but said, "Third Master, I never take a nap."

When she said this, Yinglian and Lingguan both understood what she meant and couldn't help but lower their heads and hold back their laughter.

Only Douguan was innocent and cheerful. He giggled and was about to speak when Lingguan beside him pinched him and he quickly shut his mouth.

Zhishao also tried to hold back her smile, but her hand unconsciously reached for her braid. Thinking of Jia Cong's behavior in the yard just now, she felt a tingling sensation on her head.

Jia Cong said casually: "Qingwen, it's not good not to take a nap. If a girl takes a nap regularly, her complexion will be better and she will look better."

Qingwen touched her already pretty face and said with a smile, "Since Third Master said so, I will take a nap from now on. Third Master, please don't call me a lazy girl."

After hearing this, everyone couldn't hold back their laughter anymore and laughed out loud.

Qingwen was not convinced and said angrily, "What are you laughing at? Do you want to be lazy maids?"

Wu Er was in the West Mansion during the day, so he didn't know what was going on. He looked confused and said, "What happened today? What are you all doing?"

After dinner, it was extremely hot in June and I felt uncomfortable if I walked around for a while.

Jia Cong went to the backyard to take a bath. Zhishao hurriedly packed his change of clothes and took them to the backyard bathroom.

After Jia Cong finished his bath, the other girls took their change of clothes and went to the bathroom to shower together.

After everyone had finished packing, tables and lounge chairs were placed on the corridor outside the main room, and everyone gathered together to enjoy the cool air and beat the heat.

Wu'er called the housekeeper over and asked them to hang more lanterns in the corridor. The lights were bright and clear. The night sky outside the corridor was as dark as ink, and stars were visible.

Jia Cong didn't want to be alone, so he took a book to read on the corridor. Zhishao carefully moved the recliner under the lantern so that Jia Cong could read with less strain on his eyes.

Now that he had achieved fame, he no longer stayed up late in his study every day. He read books whenever he felt like it, and in addition to the classics, he also read miscellaneous works.

Just as Baoyu said, after he achieved fame, he no longer studied the classics of sages, but only hung out with his sisters and maids. This was a fake moralist that made him feel so sad.

Yinglian asked Zhishao to play chess, Qingwen asked Lingguan and Douguan to play leaf cards, and as there were not enough people, Juan'er was called in.

Wu Er prepared a pot of Yun Wu Jian tea for everyone to drink after their meal to help them digest their food.

From time to time, one could hear the cheers of Qingwen and Douguan on the corridor, presumably because they had won the game. The sounds of Yinglian and Zhishao placing their pieces were mixed in.

As time passed, the coolness of the night gradually faded away, the air became stuffy and oppressive, and Qingwen took out a round fan and fanned herself constantly.

Wu'er walked outside the corridor, looked up at the sky, and saw that most of the stars were obscured.

He said, "Looking at the weather, it will probably rain heavily tonight. Tomorrow it won't be so hot. It will definitely be much cooler. Don't forget to close the windows when you go to bed at night."

When the time passed the hour of Hai, the young Douguan began to yawn, and the others also began to feel sleepy.

Nowadays, unlike in later times, people still follow the principle of going to bed early and getting up early. After the hour of Hai, if there is nothing delaying, it is usually time to go to bed.

In the past, Jia Cong had to study until midnight to prepare for the exam, so Yinglian often stayed up late with him, and the girls in the courtyard also went to bed late.

Ever since Jia Cong passed the palace examination, he had already loosened the reins on himself, and the girls around him had also returned to their normal routines.

Lingguan rubbed Douguan's little face and prepared to take her to bed. Qingwen began to pack up the leaf cards, and Wu'er was also packing up the tea set.

Everyone was getting ready to leave, but suddenly something seemed strange because Zhishao didn't move. She even glanced at Jia Cong who was reading a book.

The first thing Qingwen thought of was that Zhishao was on night duty today...

Except for Wu'er, everyone else couldn't help but recall the intimate scene between Jia Cong and Zhishao in the afternoon.

They each had their own unique feelings in their hearts. …

Qingwen's movements of collecting the cards suddenly slowed down, and she felt a sense of inexplicable loss in her heart.

Yinglian's bright eyes looked back and forth between Zhishao and Jia Cong, but she didn't notice anything unusual.

Zhishao took a sip of tea, but her attention was still on the chessboard. She even urged Yinglian to make her move.

Lingguan suddenly remembered that Douguan said that the Third Master should be good friends with her too. Seeing Zhishao concentrating on playing chess, her pretty face felt a little hot and she quickly took Douguan back to the room.

Qingwen hesitated for a while before packing up her cards and leaving. Before leaving, she suddenly said, "Third Master, you should also go to bed early."

Jia Cong's eyes did not leave the book, but he heard her words and replied, "I will rest after I finish reading these few pages. You go and rest first."

Qingwen suddenly regretted what a fool she was. Why did she say these things to the Third Master at this time? It was so incomprehensible!

When Wu'er saw Qingwen was reluctant to leave, she also noticed that the atmosphere was a little strange, but she was the housekeeper in the West Mansion in the morning and didn't know the reason for a moment.

She saw Jia Cong still leisurely flipping through a book, and Zhishao and Yinglian still playing chess, and she didn't notice anything unusual at first.

But she was a careful person and accidentally noticed a blush on Zhishao's cheeks.

Wu'er suddenly remembered that Zhishao was on duty tonight, and her heart suddenly started beating wildly.

Things became different that day when she and Zhishao served tea to Lady Jia in Rongqing Hall. Every time it was her turn to be on duty, she couldn't help feeling a little scared, flustered, and having vague visions.

I guess Zhishao is the same as her...

Finally, Wu'er took the tea set and left with a slightly red face.

Yinglian laid a few more stones and realized that she was the only one left. She became a little restless and said hesitantly, "Sister Zhishao, I'm a little sleepy."

Zhi Shao smiled and said, "If you feel sleepy, go and take a rest. The chessboard is still there, and we will continue playing tomorrow."

Yinglian got up and went back to her room, leaving Jia Cong and Zhishao alone on the corridor.

When Zhishao thought of the strange behavior of Yinglian and others, she became more and more flustered and at a loss for a moment.

There was nothing all around, and there was nothing else except the night breeze brushing her cheeks. A strange emotion filled Zhishao's heart.

Jia Cong suddenly put down the book and said, "Zhi Shao, it's late, let's rest." Then he got up and went back to his room.

Zhishao followed him in a daze. They entered the room and Zhishao lit the red candle on the dressing table.

She also helped Jia Congkuan take off his outer clothes, removed the hairpin on his head, and tied his hair bun tightly with a hairband to make it easier for him to sleep and turn over.

She had been doing these trivial things for many years, and her every move was filled with unspeakable emotions.

As Jia Cong watched her busying around, he suddenly remembered what Lin Zhaohe said when he met her during the day: People who have lived together through thick and thin can support each other and endure hardships.

He thought about the difficult days he had in Dongluyuan, with only Zhishao by his side.

Later, many misfortunes happened. He was displaced thousands of miles away, heartbroken, then found his love again, overjoyed. No matter whether she remembered the past or not, she stayed by his side.

Living together day and night for many years, eating, drinking, and living together, holding hands, and never leaving each other, this is probably what it means to be together forever...

……

Zhishao fixed Jia Cong's hair and found that he was staring at her. Her face was flushed and she asked, "Third Master, why are you staring at me?"

Jia Cong took a step closer without noticing. Zhishao's beautiful eyes were full of radiance, and the red candlelight was reflected in her eyes, dancing with bright light.

Suddenly, there was a flash of lightning outside the window, illuminating the room, followed by a loud bang of thunder.

Zhishao was caught off guard and frightened by the deafening thunder. She screamed and subconsciously threw herself into Jia Cong's arms, and was hugged by Jia Cong.

A strong wind blew in from the window, causing the flame of the red candle to shake wildly.

Zhishao found herself in Jia Cong's arms, and he was holding her tighter and tighter, a little unscrupulously, which made her feel extremely ashamed.

Although they have always been close, Jia Cong has always been careful about his distance, and it seems that he has never hugged someone like today.

She suddenly thought of the tea ceremony in Rongqing Hall. Was it possible that such a moment had been there for a long time, and was it coming now?
Jia Cong hugged the soft and sweet body in his arms tighter and called softly, "Zhi Shao."

Zhishao raised her head from his arms and hummed softly, her pink and tender lips were already tightly kissed by Jia Cong.

She clearly felt that Jia Cong was filled with an unprecedented excitement, a burning heat.

They had been close to each other before, but never like this. It seemed that things had changed between them since that time when they had tea at Rongqing Hall.

As time goes by, Jia Cong, Zhishao and Wu'er are all adapting to this change.

To Jia Cong, Zhishao was special to him. He was clear-headed and rational beyond ordinary people, and he didn't want to make her feel forced in the slightest. He was patiently waiting for Zhishao to adapt to this change.

The panic longing and sweet acceptance grew in Zhishao's heart after Jia Cong passed the imperial examination and became a Jinshi.

Perhaps it was the intimate wiping of hair at sunset, the hearing of each other's voices, the laughing conversations, which evoked infinite emotions.

Perhaps they were enjoying the cool breeze on the veranda, and the girls in the yard were exploring each other, with ambiguous and curious expressions and strange and funny words.

All of these, like strange catalysts, seemed to be a natural progression, making the desire to break out of the ground finally burst out at this moment...

……

Jia Cong kissed the girl's lips, cheeks and forehead freely.

Zhishao's whole body was trembling and numb, and she was gasping for breath. Thunder roared outside the window and heavy rain poured down in an instant. Outside the eaves of the corridor, the rain was pouring down, and the noisy sound of rain was everywhere.

The cool and moist night breeze kept pouring into the room, but it could not cool down the burning heat of the embrace.

For a long time, Jia Cong looked at the delicate girl in his arms. The excitement in his heart was difficult to calm down for a long time, like a surging tide, cleansing his body and mind again and again.

Zhishao found the embrace suffocating and loosened her grip slightly. She was a little dazed and Jia Cong led her hand to the bed.

The two sat down on the edge of the bed. Zhishao felt weak all over and almost blurted out: Third Master, I'm scared.

Until Jia Cong unbuttoned her underwear one by one, she bit her lips slightly and held back...

The soft silk dress was removed, revealing shoulders as slender as jade, skin as smooth as snow, dazzlingly white, a firm and graceful figure, and charming peaks.

Zhishao was so embarrassed that her whole body was tense. Her hands were unconsciously clenched tightly. Her head was slightly tilted, and her eyes were closed, not daring to look at Jia Cong.

Seeing how nervous she was, Jia Cong felt pity for her. He held her smooth shoulders with both hands, gently held her in his arms, and kissed her on the lips and cheeks several times.

In just a moment, Zhishao seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, her delicate body softened slightly, and Jia Cong slowly pushed her down on the couch.

Jia Cong took off her embroidered shoes, untied her silk stockings, and reached out to untie the belt of her silk trousers...

At this time, Zhishao was so shy that closing her eyes was useless. She raised her hands and covered her eyes tightly, ignoring everything Jia Cong did.

It was not until Jia Cong's hand touched her silk pants that she shuddered involuntarily, her hands that were covering her eyes loosened, and her whole body tensed up.

Jia Cong seemed to know what she was thinking. He reached out and lowered the bed curtains on both sides, kissed her on the lips, and said softly, "Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Zhishao noticed that the light in the bed curtains was getting dim, and her body relaxed slightly. Jia Cong carefully untied the belt of her silk trousers.

After a while, the tightly closed bed curtains were lifted, and Jia Cong reached out and threw out a pair of chiffon trousers, followed by the girl's underwear.

Then, Jia Cong's clothes were thrown out, making the floor in front of the bed a little messy...

When Jia Cong's hand reached Zhishao's only remaining piece of clothing, it was a light blue bellyband with exquisite cloud patterns embroidered all around and delicate pink and white peony branches embroidered in the middle. The shape was very beautiful.

Zhishao covered her eyes and had originally decided to let Jia Cong do whatever he wanted, but now she put down her hands and subconsciously hugged her chest, trying to keep her only piece of clothing.

Her face was red, and she seemed to be crying. She asked softly, "Third Master, do I have to take them all off?"

Jia Cong suppressed his laughter and said, "Of course you have to take it off. It's always like this. What does it matter if it's in your own room?"

Zhishao seemed to be about to cry and said, "Third Master, the candles haven't been blown out yet."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "We just entered the room and blew out the candles immediately. Didn't you see that the maids were staring at us, so curious? They must have known it.

Tomorrow when we get up, no one will say anything, but Qingwen will definitely make fun of us."

"Then don't blow out the candles, Third Master, the door seems not to be closed properly..."

"I have already closed it. Besides, it is your own yard and the gate is locked. Are you still worried about someone coming in..." (End of this chapter)