Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Chapter 735: Love Tribulation Desire

Earl's Mansion, South Slope Courtyard.

The evening breeze blows, the sunset glows, and mottled shadows fall from the eaves, wandering between brightness and obscurity.

Miaoyu was a little surprised to see Jia Cong, because she knew that he went to court, left early and came back late every day, and spent little time at home, and seldom visited him.

It has been a while since he and his disciple moved into the East Palace, but Jia Cong has only come twice, both times accompanied by his junior sister to visit the master.

For some unknown reason, he had the time to come to her house today, and Miaoyu was somewhat happy.

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Master Miaoyu is rarely seen, so why can't I see Zhishao?"

Miaoyu said: "Jinghui just brought the medicine into the master's room, she must have been talking to the master.

I was chanting sutras for my master in the front hall when I heard you knocking on the door. Yu Zhang is free today. What is that thing in your hand?"

Jia Cong saw that Miaoyu looked calm, beautiful and elegant. The coldness and aloofness she had when they first met in Gusu was long gone. Although she didn't smile, she seemed somewhat close to her.

He smiled and said, "These are sweet potatoes and taro sent from the south. They are rare items. I'm sending some to you and nun for you to try.

These things can be used as a meal replacement for rice, but they are sweeter than rice and are just right for monks and nuns to eat.”

Jia Cong looked around for a few times and asked, "Master Miaoyu, I saw two maids and a woman with you in the Muni Courtyard, why is there no one around?"

Miaoyu replied, "My master and I are staying at your house. It would be disrespectful to take them with us, so we have arranged for them to stay in a farmhouse near the Muni Temple.

I am no longer a rich lady, and although it is convenient to have them take care of me, I can still take care of my master even without them."

……

After hearing this, Jia Cong couldn't help but think of Miaoyu's background. Although he didn't know the details, he knew that Miaoyu must be from a wealthy or noble family.

Although he has been practicing Buddhism for many years with his hair uncut, he has always been surrounded by maids and old women serving him, so his family background must be strong.

She carried with her many tea sets, antiques and treasures, and even the Jia family, a noble family like hers, could not find many that matched her. Her family background was probably not inferior to that of the Rong Kingdom's Jia family.

Miaoyu took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to him, saying, "It's cold in autumn and winter now, and your forehead is sweating. Be careful not to catch a cold."

Jia Cong was slightly stunned when he heard this. The basket of sweet potatoes and taro was quite heavy. He had walked a long distance on the mountain road and stone steps, and was already sweating.

He was somewhat surprised that Miaoyu, who was always cold and aloof, could be so gentle and delicate.

As far as he knew, Miaoyu seemed to have some mysophobia, and she didn't even care about herself?

The solid-color emerald green soft silk handkerchief in her hand was of quite good quality. Miaoyu stared at him with eyes that seemed a little puzzled by his hesitation.

Jia Cong quickly took the handkerchief, wiped his forehead a few times, and returned it to Miaoyu, saying with a smile, "Thank you."

Miaoyu took the handkerchief, let Jia Cong into the courtyard, and led him to the kitchen.

Miaoyu asked: "Yuzhang, how do we cook and eat these sweet potatoes and taro?"

Jia Cong smiled and said, "There are many ways to cook these two things. If you want to keep it simple, just wash them with clean water, peel them, and steam them.

There is also a more complicated method. The taro can be peeled and shredded, then fried with chili sesame oil. The flavor is very unique and refreshing.

As for sweet potatoes, roasting them over fire is the most delicious..."

Miaoyu asked, "What is chili?"

Jia Cong thought that exotic crops such as peppers and sweet potatoes were still unknown to the public, so it was normal that Miaoyu did not know what peppers were.

He smiled and said, "Chili peppers are from the distant foreign lands. They are spicy and pure, similar in taste to Sichuan peppercorns. They are a top-quality condiment, but they are rare."

Miaoyu came from a well-off family. When she was a child, her family often gave her expensive clothes and food. She knew that pepper was expensive and only wealthy families could afford it.

I think chili pepper is also a precious crop, and it is produced in distant foreign countries. It must be more precious than Sichuan pepper. Only wealthy families like the Jia family would know this.

……

Jia Cong followed Miaoyu into the kitchen. Just as he was about to put down the basket in his hand, he saw that the kitchen was unusually clean and tidy, as if it had never been used.

Miaoyu paid attention to his expression and guessed what he was thinking.

He said: "Since we moved in, the kitchen has delivered vegetarian food for three meals a day, which is already excellent.

My junior sister and I are not good at cooking. Apart from decocting medicine for the master, we rarely use the fire in the kitchen, so the kitchen is always clean.

Jia Cong said, "I was careless. I should have prepared it in the kitchen before sending it to you."

Miaoyu's face softened as she said, "You are so busy with official duties every day that you don't have time to remember these things. Junior Sister will take good care of them, so you don't have to worry about anything."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "That's fine. These things are easy to deal with. I have nothing else to do. I can do it quickly by myself."

When Miaoyu heard Jia Cong talking, she found a bucket in the kitchen and scooped some clean water from the water tank in the courtyard.

Pick out a few sweet potatoes from the basket and wash off the mud on the surface in clean water.

When Miaoyu saw Jia Cong taking charge and actually wanting to cook for herself, she felt something was not right.

Considering that he came from a noble family and had a high status, he must be served by maids in terms of clothing and daily life. I was a guest there, so how could I let him do anything?

Although she had never been involved in kitchen matters, she felt it was unbearable to see it, so she rolled up one of her sleeves, revealing her crystal-clear wrist.

He was about to take the sweet potato from Jia Cong's hand and said, "You are a young master from a wealthy family. How can a man do the work of a kitchen? Let me do it."

Jia Cong dodged his arm slightly and said with a smile: "It's nothing. Although I was born in a wealthy family, I lived a careless life when I was young.

These things are nothing. I remember that every winter, there was not enough charcoal in the room.

Every night before going to sleep, Zhishao would heat the quilt in the fumigation cage to prevent the two of them from freezing. Every day was noble and respectable. "

Miaoyu had heard many rumors about Jia Cong when he was young, so she naturally understood what he meant. She felt pity for him and even envied her junior sister.

……

She silently picked up another sweet potato covered in mud, and, imitating Jia Cong, put it into the bucket and scrubbed it with her hands.

Miaoyu's pair of slender hands were as white as jade, and they were soaked in mud and water, but she didn't seem to mind the filth.

Jia Cong was slightly stunned. When he first met Miaoyu in Gusu, her personality was just as rumored, cold and eccentric, with sharp edges and difficult to approach.

Now, this kind of strange temper seems to have faded a lot, and there is a little more warmth and comfort in it.

Maybe it was because she and Master Xiushan had arrived in Shenjing. Zhishao and Xiuyan were both sentimental people, so they would go to Muni Temple to stay and keep her company every once in a while.

The three of them often slept on the same bed, and were even closer than when they were in Gusu.

Zhishao and Xing Xiuyun are both kind and gentle people. Perhaps it is for this reason that Miaoyu's character has been subtly influenced by them.

Jia Cong smiled slightly, and neither of them spoke, each washing the sweet potatoes in their hands.

In the murky and muddy water, two pairs of hands occasionally bumped into each other, without leaving any trace, and they avoided each other tacitly.

The breeze blew, and the black hair at Miaoyu's temples fluttered, occasionally brushing across Jia Cong's face, bringing with it an ambiguous fragrance and tenderness.

When the water in the bucket had been changed three times, the water became crystal clear, and Miaoyu's slender hands were bright and eye-catching, which was heart-warming.

Jia Cong felt strange in his heart, as if he could feel the warmth and softness of her palm through the water...

……

After Jia Cong rinsed a few sweet potatoes, he cleaned the walls of the kitchen stove and lit the firewood under the stove.

Miaoyu watched curiously from the side, and saw Jia Cong put the washed sweet potatoes into the stove one by one and placed them against the stove wall.

When the fire gradually burned, a rich and sweet aroma soon emanated from the furnace wall...

Miaoyu was just feeling curious when she saw Zhishao coming in with a medicine bowl. She smiled and asked, "Third Master, what are you and Senior Sister doing?"

When Miaoyu heard what Zhishao said, her pretty face suddenly turned red for no apparent reason and she didn't know how to respond for a moment.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Jinling has sent a lot of sweet potatoes and taro, I'll send some over for Master and Miaoyu to taste.

I'm making roasted sweet potatoes. Based on your taste, you will definitely like this one."

Zhishao sniffed the aroma emanating from the furnace wall and said with a smile, "This smell is so sweet and fragrant. It makes me hungry."

Miaoyu asked, "Jinghui, is the master safe after taking the medicine?"

Zhishao said, "Master is very good. She ate a lot of vegetarian food in the evening and talked a lot after drinking the medicinal soup. I have helped her to sleep."

Jia Cong took the chopsticks and turned the sweet potatoes in the stove over several times, then took them out one by one and put them on a plate.

Zhishao brought a few stools, and the three of them sat at the kitchen door. Jia Cong placed the hot roasted sweet potatoes in the vent to cool them down a little.

He picked up one of them, peeled off half of the skin and handed it to Miaoyu, then peeled another one and handed it to Zhishao, and finally it was his turn.

The air was filled with the sweet aroma of roasted sweet potatoes. Zhishao praised, "Third Master, this foreign food is sweet and sticky, and surprisingly delicious."

Miaoyu also said: "Just roasting it over fire for a little while, it tastes like this. It's really rare."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "This thing is not only easy to cultivate, but also very good for filling the stomach. It can grow even in the poorest land and is very drought-resistant.

If it could be grown in large quantities among the people, most of the world’s famine problems would be alleviated.”

……

Zhishao enjoyed the sweet potatoes while chatting and laughing with the two of them, and seemed to be in a very good mood.

Miaoyu found what Jia Cong said interesting and amusing, but she always behaved in a self-respecting manner.

Although this new food was delicious, it was a little indecent to eat it with her hands. She didn't want Jia Cong to see her eating, so she turned slightly towards him.

The sky is dark blue, the night wind is chilly, under the eaves of the kitchen, lanterns are lit, the stove fire is slightly red, and the air is filled with the warm scent of fireworks.

Not long after, the three of them finished all the roasted sweet potatoes made by Jia Cong.

Jia Cong and Zhi Shao were fine, but Miaoyu was a little stunned. Although she had been a vegetarian for many years, she was well-educated since childhood and never disliked fine food.

I have never seen such a thing before, but I am actually enjoying it. It is really a bit strange...

Seeing that it was getting late, Jia Cong put out the fire. The three of them scooped water to wash their hands. The atmosphere was harmonious and a smile appeared on Miaoyu's face.

After Jia Cong and Zhi Shao left, Miaoyu accompanied them to the gate of the courtyard and watched them walk down the stone steps. She returned to the house only after she could no longer see them. …

In the back garden of Dongfu in the night, the shadows of trees are swaying, the flowers are fragrant, and there is a bright moon in the sky, shining brightly, creating a beautiful and charming scenery.

Jia Cong held Zhishao's slender hand and suddenly said with a smile: "Zhishao, it seems that we have led Miaoyu astray."

Zhishao couldn't help but chuckle when she thought of her senior sister who was always dignified and elegant, but just now she followed them to eat sweet potatoes.

He sighed and said, "Senior sister has always been reserved, it's actually good for her to relax a little.

I heard from my master that my senior sister’s family was turbulent and she suffered from many illnesses since childhood. She entered the temple to practice at the age of three.

At that time, she was just beginning to understand the world. At first, her family often came to visit her, but later no one came to visit her anymore. She must have been very sad.

She wasn't born with a cold and eccentric personality, but her family was in decline, and although her body had recovered, her heart disease remained.

Master often said that I am blessed not to remember the past, but even if I want to forget the past, I still can’t.”

After hearing this, Jia Cong's heart moved slightly. He knew that Master Xiushan was proficient in the innate numbers, understood the world, and realized the cause and effect. She was extraordinary.

She took Miaoyu in as her disciple when she was three years old, so she must have known Miaoyu's life story very well.

Could it be that Miaoyu's life experience was so dangerous and embarrassing that Master Xiushan said such words? She would rather forget the past...

Jia Cong asked, "Zhi Shao, did your senior sister tell you about her origins?"

Zhishao said, "Senior sister tells me all her private matters, but she never talks about her family background. However, she once mentioned that her family name is Chen."

Chen is just a very common surname, there is nothing surprising about it. Jia Cong was slightly touched and suddenly became curious.

Zhishao and Miaoyu are so close, but she knows nothing about her life experience. Miaoyu must be taboo about it and doesn't want to talk about it, so why should I delve into it?

……

Zhishao added, "Since she was little, Senior Sister has never had anyone to talk to except Master.

So after I joined the sect, I was about the same age as her and we had similar personalities. She was especially nice to me and protected me wholeheartedly.

When Third Master brought me back to Shenjing from Gusu, Senior Sister was very angry, probably because she saw that Third Master was extremely unconvinced. Master said that she even cried secretly several times.

Later, when she saw that I was doing well, Senior Sister finally let it go. I see that she still has a lot to say to Third Master now. Wouldn't it be better if she stopped being so cold? "

Jia Cong held Zhishao's slender hand tightly and said, "So your sister's fate is not better than ours. You should spend more time with her in the future."

Zhi Shao smiled slightly and said, "Third Master is right. Now that Master and Senior Sister are both in Shenjing, it's just the right convenience."

……

When they returned to the yard, they saw that the main room was brightly lit with candles. Tanchun was talking to Wu'er, and the little maid Shishu was chatting with Qingwen.

When Tanchun saw Jia Cong coming back, she asked, "Where did you come from, Third Brother? I came over to talk to you. I haven't seen you for a long time."

Jia Cong said, "I was just talking with Zhishao at Miaoyu's place. It's getting late, so I'll take my sister back to the yard to rest.

Tanchun understood what he meant, and stood up to follow Jia Cong out. When they were out of the courtyard, Jia Cong asked, "Did my sister tell me what to do when you go to the East Courtyard today?"

Tanchun said: "I have said everything that needs to be said. Although my aunt is a little rough, she is also a child of a family.

She knew the seriousness of the situation and would definitely keep a close eye on Huan'er's mouth to prevent him from speaking carelessly and causing trouble.

Today I asked someone to invite a famous doctor for a follow-up visit, and he said that Huan'er's injuries were serious and she would need two months of rest to recover.

This is not a bad thing. Today, Caixia has already gone through the formalities of entering the second brother's room and has become his formal roommate.

It has been inconvenient for Huan'er to move around for the past two months, so it will be easier for Auntie to keep an eye on him and prevent him from getting into trouble again."

Jia Cong said, "It will be spring in two months. The Imperial College will open for the new year. It will be a good time to arrange for Huan'er to go to the dormitory to study. The less she stays at home, the less trouble she will have."

The two siblings chatted all the way until they sent Tanchun back to the courtyard, and then Jia Cong returned the same way.

……

Rongguo Mansion, Baoyu Courtyard.

Baoyu was in an excited mood the whole day. When the sun set and night fell, he asked Xiren to call him for dinner early.

After a hurried dinner, he found some excuses to ask Caixia to go back to his room with him. Xiren and Caiyun both knew what he meant, and they felt uncomfortable and worried.

The Second Master obviously couldn't do it, but his addiction was greater than ever. He tossed around like a fake dragon or a fake phoenix, staying up half the night, unable to fire the cannon or sound the gong.

Both of them were a little nervous and did not dare to go back to their rooms. They just sat in the main room, not knowing why.

At this time, Musk Moon came in with a teapot and was about to go to the main room. When Xiren saw this, her heart skipped a beat.

Asked: "Mushuyue, what are you going to do?"

Musk Moon replied, "I'm changing the night tea for Second Master's room. Second Master always complains of thirst in the middle of the night."

Xiren took the teapot and said, "Let me do it. You've been busy all day. You can go back to sleep now."

Musk Moon felt strange after hearing this. The moon wasn't even high in the sky yet, and it was time for people to go to bed, but the two of them were still standing in the main room.

The Second Master is going to have his wedding night again tonight, but Xiren and Caiyun are still staying here, not feeling awkward at all.

But now things are getting weirder in Baoyu's courtyard. Qiu Wen was transferred to the East Courtyard, and three of the four maids around Baoyu are regular servants.

Only Musk Moon is a proper maid, and she is quite lonely. Compared with the other three, who are already half masters, Musk Moon is very cautious in her words and actions.

Since she was scolded by Mrs. Wang last time, she knew that her situation was not good. Baoyu's courtyard seemed to have changed a lot, with new people coming to the room like a revolving lantern.

The more turbulent the time was, the more the lady's eyes were fixed here. Musk Moon didn't want to be caught by Mrs. Wang and have a bad ending.

Since Xiren said she was going to sleep, she went into the room and went to sleep, feeling happy and relaxed.

……

When Xiren saw Sheyue enter the room, she felt slightly relieved. She couldn't help but look at Caiyun, and they saw the worry in each other's eyes.

Tomorrow morning, Caixia will know Baoyu's background. Now that she has become Baoyu's roommate, it will be easier for her to control her mouth.

But in this courtyard, except for two little maids who were not allowed to enter the main house, Musk Moon was the only outsider, and she was also an extremely smart and meticulous person.

If time goes on for a long time, there is no guarantee that she will not be able to see Baoyu's flaws. How can we stop her from talking then? We won't be able to raise our heads in front of her.

Xiren looked towards the window of the main house with a worried look on her face. The candlelight flickered and the shadows of people swayed, which was full of funny weirdness and ambiguity.

……

In the main house, Baoyu waited for Caixia to enter the room, then turned around and bolted the door, which scared Caixia.

But she remembered Mrs. Wang's instructions, and knew that this was her fate and there was absolutely no way to change it, so she forced herself to calm down.

Baoyu came forward and said a lot of sweet words to her. Caixia blushed when she heard them, but she just responded casually, which made Baoyu's heart beat even more.

The reason why he was so interested in Caixia was because Madam Wang came to talk to him that day, and her words were full of temptation, which made Baoyu have extravagant hopes in his heart...

Caixia couldn't bear Baoyu's attentiveness and enthusiasm, so she ran to make the bed and spread out the quilt. It seemed that she had nothing else to do except this.

She was just about to make the quilt when Baoyu hugged her slender waist from behind and touched her inappropriately with his hands, making her scream.

"Second Master, please don't do this. You're hurting me."

"Sister Caixia, I have always liked you. Madam gave you to me. I will treat you well and will not let you suffer any grievances."

As Baoyu spoke, he hastily tore off Caixia's clothes. Although his belly was empty, he still hurried to get on the horse.

Caixia was filled with shame and indignation. Although she knew she could not avoid this, she still struggled in vain. However, her hands and feet became weaker and weaker as she resigned herself to her fate.

Baoyu panted and said, "Madam said that you are destined to have a good child and asked me to take good care of you.

Sister will definitely help me to have children. If you and I have children, it will be a great honor for sister and me."

When Caixia heard Baoyu's words, she shuddered for no reason and felt a chill in her heart, as if she had suddenly grasped a life-saving straw.

The last bit of resistance in her heart was almost destroyed in an instant, and she let Baoyu pull open her arms and pounce on her.

……

In the main hall, Caiyun saw Sheyue entering the room and whispered, "Madam, you know that the Second Master is still ill, why are you still stuffing women into the Second Master's room?

I don't have to worry about the truth being exposed. The more people know the truth, the more the risk of it leaking out. If this matter is exposed, my sister and I will have no chance to live as human beings."

Xiren sighed, "Tomorrow morning, Caixia will be just like us. We have to live a decent life, and so will she.

We kept our mouths shut and she naturally wouldn't reveal a single word. She had already entered Rongqing Hall to receive the ceremony and there was no turning back. We all had the same fate.

I am not worried about her now. What I am worried about are the two little maids in the yard and Musk Moon.

They have nothing to do with this matter. They have been serving in the same courtyard for a long time, so how could it be hidden from them?

The three of us were able to keep our mouths shut, so can they do the same?"

Caiyun's face changed when she heard this, and she said, "Sister, what you said is absolutely right. They are different from us, so why should they keep their mouths shut?"

Xiren sighed, "Madam actually has no choice but to send them all away, so that only the three of us can serve the Second Master from now on.

It’s just that last time the Second Mistress laid off the Second Master’s maid, the Madam complained a lot to the Old Mistress.

Now that I have suddenly sent so many people away, not to mention that the old lady will be suspicious, Second Madam is so smart that she will definitely be the first one to become suspicious.

So I'll just wait until this period is over and find the right time to get rid of it.

Let’s talk to Caixia early tomorrow morning. The three of us are all on the same boat, so we can tell her some things and help each other.”

As the two were talking, they suddenly heard Caixia's scream coming from inside the room. Both of them had slept with Baoyu before, so they naturally knew the whole story and smiled bitterly.

Soon, Caixia's loud moans were heard from the room. They were as gentle as tears, exciting and soul-stirring, as if she was in bliss. Xiren and Caiyun felt hot all over after hearing them.

They were all horrified. Wasn't the Second Master not capable? What on earth was going on...

(End of this chapter)