Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Baoyu Courtyard.

Baoyu looked both sad and angry. He stood at the window with his head half tilted up, asking the heaven in silence, and his face, as clear as autumn moon, was filled with sorrow and resentment.

The breeze outside the window fluttered his sleeves, making him feel free and unrestrained and self-pitying, but he didn't notice the strange behavior of the breeze, revealing his bulging belly.

Xiren and Sheyue took the maid to clean up the messy room, and it took half an hour to restore it to its original state.

However, most of the display cabinets were empty, and there were fewer exquisite decorations on the desks, making the whole room look a bit empty and disturbing.

Xiren straightened the chair in the room and said to Sheyue, "That Feng'er is not an easy person to deal with. I don't know how to talk to the Second Madam.

I'm worried that she will cause trouble, and then the Second Master will be framed again. If this continues, it will be really difficult to live in the West Mansion.

If something happens, we have to think of a good way to deal with it, and we can't let the Second Master lose face again."

At this time, Qiu Wen came into the room and served Baoyu hot tea, saying flatteringly: "Second Master, have some tea, don't get angry about these worthless things."

Then he said to Xiren, "Sister is also the top figure in Second Master's room. Everyone praises her for her virtuousness and intelligence. Why are you afraid of Feng'er, a young girl who does odd jobs and runs errands?

Such an insignificant little maid can control our Second Master and make people laugh at her."

Musk Moon sneered, "You'd better watch your mouth first. Even if she's just a little girl doing odd jobs, she's ten times more powerful than you.

Ping'er went to the East Palace to serve Master Cong Sanye. This little girl is becoming more and more favored by the Second Mistress. I advise you not to talk nonsense.

Do you think that the people under the Second Mistress are all gossipers like you? If you spread this to her, just wait and see how she will deal with you!"

Qiu Wen was ridiculed and mocked by Sheyue and felt humiliated in front of Baoyu. Although she was so angry that her face turned red, she was unable to say a word.

Musk Moon is famous for her sharp tongue, and Qiu Wen has always been a little afraid of her. When it comes to quarreling, neither of them is a match for Musk Moon.

Xiren was very angry after hearing Qiu Wen's sarcastic remarks, even though she was gentle and scheming and rarely had the nerve to offend others.

Originally, she wanted to keep the matter of the delayed monthly payment secret, but Qiu Wen told Mrs. Wang about it, making both herself and Sheyue a little embarrassed.

After all these things, Xiren became more and more disgusted with Qiu Wen, and said coldly: "Qiu Wen, you go out first, so that the Second Master can have some peace and quiet.

If you feel uncomfortable staying in the courtyard and you don't like us, I will talk to my wife and find you a place that suits you!"

……

Qiu Wen's face changed when she heard this. She didn't expect that Xiren, who was always gentle, would say such a cold word.

But she didn't think that Xiren was just trying to scare him. Now Xiren was Baoyu's householder and a concubine-to-be with a formal title, which made her half-master.

Now that there is a gap between their identities, she naturally becomes more wary of Xiren.

Qiu Wen wanted to climb onto Baoyu's bed. She could hide her thoughts from others, but not from Xiren and Sheyue who lived in the same courtyard.
It’s okay for Musk Moon, but would Xiren be willing to have another person competing for her favor in the future?
If she was determined to deal with and discipline her while she still had no status, Qiu Wen knew she couldn't bear it.

So when Xiren said this coldly, Qiu Wen knew better and shut up. She muttered a few words to herself and then left the room in shame.

When Baoyu saw this scene and thought of the setbacks he had suffered today, he felt that the world was more difficult and that human affairs were corrupt and it was difficult to be innocent.

He raised his head and sighed, "How vulgar! You are so scheming and scheming. Don't you find it boring? You don't care about the beauty of a girl at all."

As he spoke, he just shook his head and walked into the inner room with a gloomy expression.

……

After hearing what Baoyu said, Musk Moon frowned slightly. In the past, she was used to hearing Baoyu's nonsense and had long been indifferent to it, but today she found it extremely harsh.

She had been good friends with Ping'er since childhood. Thinking about how the Second Master had rashly provoked Ping'er several times because of Ping'er's entry into the East Palace, she made a fool of herself by others.

This kind of thing had never happened to her before, and Musk Moon had never known Baoyu to behave like this.

But she had been with Baoyu for many years, and with just a little thought, she was able to guess his hidden thoughts.

It's nothing more than that Baoyu has been spoiled since he was a child and has always been the phoenix of the Rongguo Mansion. He says that he pities his daughter, but in his heart he thinks that all good things should be his.

He saw that Ping'er's beauty was now given to Master Cong, and it seemed as if Master Cong owed him something, so he always tried to find fault and stir up trouble.

He might even find some legitimate excuses in his mind, thinking that everyone else is not innocent and that they all have let him down.

Now that a room full of antiques has been smashed, Xiren and I are worried about how he will deal with it, but he is still talking nonsense. Is it that all our efforts on his part are in vain?

But Second Master's behavior is useless, and it will only make people laugh at him in the end. If he continues to mess around like this, I really don't know what trouble he will cause...

……

Xiren and Sheyue were both worried about their own affairs when suddenly they heard footsteps outside the door, and it seemed that many people were entering the yard.

They were all a little frightened; such noise inevitably made them feel uneasy.

Soon, Lin Zhixiao's wife came in like a storm, followed by six maids, carrying three wooden boxes, looking quite aggressive.

Xiren and Sheyue were both surprised and puzzled, not knowing what was going on in this scene.

Xiren's expression was a little stiff, and she asked, "How come Aunt Lin has time to come here, and bring these people with her? I wonder what she is here for?"

Lin Zhixiao's wife looked indifferent and said, "Second Master Bao was angry and smashed a room full of antiques in the West Palace to vent his anger. Second Madam already knows about this."

After hearing this, Xiren and Sheyue's faces changed drastically. Only half an hour after Feng'er returned, the Second Mistress started to attack with such ruthless means.

Lin Zhixiao's wife said to the maids beside her: "Why are you standing there without doing anything?"

The old women put down the wooden boxes in their hands, almost rushed forward, and carefully took down the remaining antiques on the antique display shelf.

Among them was the exquisite and precious jade incense burner with the pattern of the Three Friends of Winter, which Caiyun had desperately snatched from Baoyu.

Several old women wrapped the antiques they had taken down with soft silk, cotton and other materials, and put them into wooden boxes one by one. Their movements were very light and quick.

Xiren and Sheyue were both terrified and stood there in fear for a moment.

Finally, it was Xiren who reacted and stepped forward to stop the old women from doing what they were doing.

He said with a horrified look: "What does Aunt Lin mean by this? Why are you moving things from the Second Master's room? The old lady will not approve if she knows."

Lin Zhixiao's wife sneered and said, "Second Madam has already said that since you don't like the things left by your ancestors, then you don't need to display them.

All the remaining antiques in the house will be put back in the warehouse for safekeeping, so as to leave more assets for future generations and prevent them from being ruined by you.

You said that the old lady would not agree if you moved Mr. Bao's things. Does that mean she would agree if Mr. Bao smashed the belongings of the West Mansion?
The six antiques that Master Bao smashed were all registered in the Xifu Palace. They were all top-quality items, rare items handed down from the older generation.

These are all the family property inherited by Mr. Cong Sanye. We can't just smash them. There's no way to fool everyone.

Xiren, you are also an elder in the West Mansion. Now the master and mistress of the second house have moved to the East Courtyard.

The Third Master was considerate of the relationship between cousins, so even though the Second Master Bao stayed in the West Mansion, he never said a word of gossip.

Just think of it as keeping him by the old lady's side to show filial piety, be friendly to his brother, and follow the etiquette of separate rooms. The Third Master has done everything he should do.

But Master Bao has no regard for Master San's kindness at all. When he is angry, he takes out his anger on Master San's property. If you can say something right, I, an old woman, will obey you!"

……

Lin Zhixiao's words were sharp and domineering, and her logic was so upright that no one could refute them. Xiren turned pale after hearing them.

Although she was somewhat scheming, her eloquence was not as quick-witted as Musk Moon's. She was speechless after being questioned by Lin Zhixiao's family.

Xiren looked at Sheyue unconsciously. Under such circumstances, only Sheyue's eloquence could deal with her with a few words. She couldn't just watch people emptied the house.

But Musk Moon also looked unhappy at this time, and she shook her head slightly at Xiren's pleading gaze.

Xiren came to her senses and realized that Musk Moon was smart and quick-witted than herself. She felt that she should not say anything to stop her, so she kept silent.

Not to mention Musk Moon responding, even Master Bao couldn't stop it. Only the old lady's words would be effective in the West Mansion.

But Lin Zhixiao's family made such a big scene that they even had to have people carry the boxes. This showed that the Second Mistress was ruthless and was obviously trying to catch the enemy by surprise.

But there is no time to inform the old lady now. Even if the old lady really stops it, the second grandma will be offended.

She is the mistress of the West Mansion, and he and Sheyue are just servants. They cannot twist her with their elbows, and are just like an egg hitting a rock.

Even if I became the Second Master's concubine, it was just an empty title at the moment. The Second Master's wife had many ways to kill me...

……

Xiren hesitated for only a moment. There were seven or eight antiques on the antique shelf, a jade brush washer worth a thousand medals on the desk, and an ebony marble table screen with carved patterns on the table.

Several antiques that were displayed in conspicuous places were all taken away by the old women.

One of the maids was holding an account book and comparing the items in the room, pointing and assigning others to take away the corresponding items.

Soon the ancient swords hanging on the wall, the ancient zither, the jade-carved hanging bottles inlaid on the wall and other items were taken down and packed by the old woman. Her movements were quick and smooth, as if she was ransacking a house.

When it was clear that all the antiques and artifacts in the house had been looted, Lin Zhixiao's wife waved her hands again, and two maids carried out another box.

Lin Zhixiao's wife said, "This box is full of newly purchased items. I gave them to Master Bao as decorations. They are not worth much anyway, so I won't feel bad if they are smashed."

Xiren's face burned when she heard this. The Second Mistress was humiliating the Second Master in front of him, taking away the valuables in the room without leaving any room for criticism.

Every sentence she said was about Second Master wasting things. She used a box of cheap stuff to fill the empty space in the room. It seemed very thoughtful, but it was just a way to shut people up. Even if the old lady knew about it and was dissatisfied in her heart, she couldn't find too many faults with Second Mistress.

……

Lin Zhixiao's wife said, "Miss Feng'er passed on a message that Master Bao smashed these things because you made him angry. Is this a fabrication to frame you?"

Xiren said quickly: "That's true. It's all our fault that we made the Second Master angry."

Lin Zhixiao's family sneered: "In this case, none of you can escape responsibility for this matter, and it should fall on you.

The Third Master fought in Liaodong, his life hanging by a thread, and fought for fame and title from a pile of dead bodies.

The total income from several estates in Liaodong was only five thousand taels in a whole year, and this amount of silver alone was enough to support the entire population of Dongfu.

I went to an antique shop to ask about the market price. These six antiques are worth at least three thousand taels of silver. If they are not broken into pieces and are stored for a few years, they will be worth much more than this.

You guys didn't serve well and made Master Bao unhappy. You got three thousand taels for smashing something, which is almost enough for the East Palace to eat for half a year. It's really a sin.

Even if you sell all of you girls, you still can't afford the compensation.

Even though the Rongguo Mansion is one of the most powerful families in the capital, with a huge fortune, it cannot afford to waste things like this. If everyone acts like this, they will eventually go bankrupt sooner or later.

The Second Mistress has already said that if this kind of thing is not punished, everyone from top to bottom will behave recklessly in the future.

Starting from Xiren and below, the seven maids in Master Bao's room will be exempted from three months' salary starting from next month, and will not be paid this month either.

This can only be considered a minor punishment. The losses you have left behind will be recorded in the account. If you make trouble again in the future, Second Mistress will not be so merciful! "

……

When Xiren and Sheyue heard this, their faces turned very ugly. Being fined four months' salary was something that had never been heard of in the mansion.

But when they saw Lin Zhixiao's family looking at them coldly, it seemed as if they were waiting for them to make a scene, as if they were hoping that things would get out of hand.

Xiren and Sheyue are not fools. They can see that Wang Xifeng is trying to take drastic measures. Naturally, they will not be fooled. Both of them remain silent.

Suddenly Qiu Wen walked into the room and said, "Auntie Lin, we work hard to serve the Second Master and never dare to be lazy.

Four months' salary is half a year's salary. How can we survive? Please ask Aunt Lin to ask Second Mistress for mercy. Second Mistress knows..."

When Xiren heard Qiu Wen say the word "Second Wife", she knew that something bad was going to happen. Qiu Wen was such an idiot, and mentioning the Second Wife at this time was just adding fuel to the fire.

She couldn't help but blurt out, "Qiu Wen, shut up!"

Lin Zhixiao's wife looked at Qiu Wen with a sharp gaze, "The affairs of the West Mansion are managed by the Third Master and the Second Madam. We dare not trouble the Second Wife.

If you want to bring the second wife out, feel free to do so. I won’t stop you.

I dare not even ask Second Grandma for mercy, so you should go and ask for mercy yourself and see if Second Grandma will peel off your skin!"

After hearing the other party's eerie words, Qiu Wen was so frightened that she shuddered and dared not say another word.

Lin Zhixiao's wife glared at Qiu Wen, waved her hand, and had several of her servants carry the boxes and rush out of Baoyu's yard like a whirlwind.

At this time, Baoyu came out from the inner room and said in dissatisfaction: "Why are you making so much noise again? Can't you let us have some peace and quiet? What are you doing?"

Qiu Wen said with a bitter face: "Second Master, go and speak for us. Second Madam is too cruel. She wants to fine us four months' salary..."

Sheyue couldn't help but walked forward, spat at Qiu Wen fiercely, and cursed: "Shut your stinky mouth, if you want to die, why don't you choose a good time.

It's already this late, and you're still trying to provoke me to cause trouble. Why don't you try it yourself, and don't get us covered in blood!"

……

Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong Courtyard.

The night fell, a cool breeze blew, the sky was blue, and a bright moon gradually rose higher, casting its light all over the yard.

A small banquet was being held in the main hall, with the sounds of chirping birds and leaping for joy, and occasional laughter as loud as silver bells.

Today is the day Ping'er will enter the room. Jia Cong returns home after leaving office and sets up a small banquet in the courtyard to welcome her.

Due to the limitations of patriarchal etiquette, there were no guests present and no phoenix crowns and bridal robes, but from then on, there was one more person in each other's lives to support each other.

Moreover, this person is beautiful and graceful, with a kind and gentle temperament, and has a good reputation in Xifu.

Last October, Ping'er was promised to Jia Cong by Wang Xifeng, and everyone in both mansions knew about it.

Wang Xifeng also had good intentions. After she was confirmed as such, whenever she needed to go to the East Palace for something, she would ask Ping'er to run errands back and forth so that she could build familiar relationships.

Ping'er and Wu'er were both housekeepers in the West Mansion, and their relationship became even closer and more intimate.

During the past six months, Ping'er had been going in and out of Jia Cong's courtyard as usual due to various chores.

Zhishao, Qingwen, Yinglian, Lingguan and others have become accustomed to her presence.

To them, Ping'er had simply moved into the East Palace.

When the banquet started, Ping'er couldn't hide her shyness, making the atmosphere a little awkward.

But the familiarity among everyone in the past soon dispelled the strange atmosphere, and soon everyone was talking and laughing.

When the banquet was over, two maids from the kitchen came to clear away the dishes and bowls. The rest of the people had already understood each other and went back to their rooms to rest with a chuckle.

On the contrary, Jia Cong felt a little embarrassed and said, "Sister Ping'er, let's go back and rest too."

After saying this, he stood up and went to his room. Ping'er was a little at a loss, and soon followed Jia Cong.

The night breeze blew gently as they walked together along the long corridor. The lanterns hanging from the eaves lengthened their shadows and gradually overlapped them.

Jia Cong smelled the alluring fragrance of his daughter behind him and thought that she was just on night duty.

The two of them had never been close to each other for a single day. Some things were too abrupt or too hasty. There was still a long time to go, so just let things take their course.

By the time everyone had entered the room, the candlelight in the room was already burning brightly. Ping'er blushed slightly and turned around to close the door.

This was the first time in her life that she shared a room with a man. Even though he was destined to be her lifelong lover, she still couldn't help but feel nervous and her body felt a little weak...

……

When the candlelight in the room became bright, the shadows of people walking and overlapping could be seen through the window frames, and two figures also appeared at the other end of the corridor.

In the light of the lanterns on the eaves, two slim and graceful figures walked to a place not far from the window, then stopped and looked a little furtive.

Yinglian said softly, "Sister Qingwen, why did you force me to come here?"

Qingwen blurted out: "Brave, oh no, you are not curious at all, what are the Third Master and Ping Er doing in the room?"

Among the girls around Jia Cong, Zhishao and Wu'er have already entered the room, which has aroused some fantasies in the hearts of others.

However, Lingguan is only in her teens, and has not yet fully awakened. She is confused and forgets what she thinks, and does not take it to heart.

Yinglian is one year older than Lingguan. She has followed Jia Cong for several years. She follows him in and out of the study at home and in and out of Liu's house when he goes out.

She is the person who spends the most time with Jia Cong, and as she is not yet of marriageable age, she is more content with the status quo.

Only Qingwen is over fifteen, exactly the same age as Jia Cong, with an active mind, awakening feelings, and a strong curiosity...

Yinglian's face inexplicably turned red after hearing Qingwen's words, and she said softly, "What's so strange about it? It's just a night watch. We have never had that before."

Qingwen snorted and said, "Sister Ping'er has paid her respects in Rongqing Hall today. Is she here just to keep watch for the Third Master? The little maid has no sense at all."

Yinglian was ridiculed by Qingwen for being ignorant and she immediately became dissatisfied.

Said: "That person is ignorant, I know, he is either on night duty or serving as a concubine."

Qingwen was confused and asked, "What does it mean to sleep with the emperor? I've never heard of it before. It's a new word."

Yinglian's pretty face turned red, and she almost laughed out loud, and she said softly: "You have been with the Third Master for many years, and you are also a literate person, and you usually read more books.

All she does every day is tinker with needlework, she doesn't even know what it means to sleep with someone, I don't know which one of them is ignorant."

Qingwen glared at him and said, "You are still the same, a bookworm. You spend all your time in the study and can't even tell the left from the right when making socks for the Third Master."

Yinglian was ridiculed by Qingwen, but she was not angry at all. She even covered her mouth and laughed.

Qingwen whispered softly, "Why don't you explain clearly what it means to sleep with the emperor?"

Yinglian's pretty face flushed, and she looked rosy and intoxicating even in the night.

She hesitated and said, "Sleeping in bed means... it means two people are in love."

Qingwen's face was filled with curiosity and inquisitiveness. She murmured to herself, "Sleeping with the emperor means being a lover? That's what's written in that book. Bring it to me tomorrow and let me have a look."

At this moment, the window was suddenly pushed open, and Jia Cong asked with a smile, "Which of you two wants to sleep with me?"

Ping'er's laughter could be heard from the room... (End of this chapter)