Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong Courtyard.

As November approaches, the nights become longer and the days shorter. In the early hours of the morning, the sky is pitch black and the north wind is howling outside the window.

The lanterns under the eaves swayed in the wind, and the warm light spread down, illuminating the corridor inside and out.

Lingguan walked quickly across the corridor, holding a copper basin to warm her hands. She was wearing a long jacket with a cross-collar and a crimson floral pattern, a pink round-necked jacket, and a white embroidered cotton skirt.

A gust of cold wind blew and she couldn't help shivering. Coincidentally, she saw that a thin layer of ice had formed on the surface of the water in the Taiping jar.

Lingguan pushed open the door. There was a fumigation oven lit in the room, and it was warm all around. Qingwen, wearing only red pajamas, was combing Jia Cong's hair.

Lingguan placed the copper basin on the elm basin stand, stamped her feet, and rubbed her hands several times.

He said, "It's only November, how can it be so cold? When I was in the south, I would just wear a padded jacket at this time of year."

Qingwen saw Lingguan's red hands and said with a smile, "Although it's a little colder with the change of seasons, your skin is too thin. You're frozen like a crab.

Just simmer it in the hot water and it will be ready in a moment."

Jia Cong said with a smile: "How can you put your skin in hot water if it is red from the cold? Be careful of getting frostbite. Lingguan grew up in the south and is not as cold-resistant as us. Come here and let me warm you up."

Lingguan smiled and stretched her hand towards Jia Cong, who held it in his palm and rubbed it gently.

The pair of small hands had well-proportioned flesh and bones, and the ten fingers were slender and long, which was very outstanding. Holding them in the hands was like grinding jade and rubbing ice.

When Lingguan lived in a troupe in Suzhou, she was a little actress who had only been on stage once. She only did chores like washing clothes and cooking every day, and she had calluses on her body at a young age.

Since she followed Jia Cong, she no longer has to work as hard as before. The calluses on her hands have disappeared, and they feel delicate, smooth and comfortable to the touch.

Seeing the two being so intimate, Qingwen felt a little jealous and stretched out her hand to Jia Cong, saying, "Third Master, my hands are cold too. Please warm them for me too."

Jia Cong smiled and cupped the two pairs of small hands in his palms, rubbing them randomly, making the two of them giggle.

……

At this time, the door was pushed open, Ping'er came in and saw the situation, and said with a smile: "You two are making trouble for the Third Master again, be careful not to delay his attendance at court."

Lingguan quickly withdrew her little hand, rubbed a hot towel to wash Jia Cong's face, and helped him brush his teeth and mouth. Qingwen went over to make the bed.

Ping'er took Jia Cong's official uniform and helped him put it on. Jia Cong asked, "Sister Ping'er, is there anything going on in the West Mansion recently?"

Ping Erh helped him button up his clothes and said, "It's nothing serious. Everything is fine inside and outside. A few places have been renovated and repaired, and now everything is ready.

Rong Xi Tang has also been repainted and looks brand new. The Third Master will go over to take a look when he has time.
The wedding gifts from the East and West Houses to Master Bao totaled two thousand silver coins, which were sent to the East Courtyard a few days ago, and the old lady secretly supplemented it with several thousand taels. "

Qingwen interrupted and said, "The old lady is really rich. She can easily give us several thousand taels."

Ping Er smiled and said, "You have only stayed in the old lady's room for half a year, so you don't know the details. The old lady is the eldest daughter of Marquis Shi's mansion.

If you put the dowry boxes in order, you can get a few thousand taels, which is not a strange thing."

Jia Cong smiled slightly after hearing this. He had guessed this a long time ago, and he was afraid that Wang Xifeng also knew it.

Otherwise, she would not have been so tight with the public treasury's money and would have included Lady Jia's share in advance.

Grandmother Jia only doted on Baoyu all her life. There is no reason for an older person to be partial to a certain child.

The older an old person gets, the more partiality and pampering they show him or her. This is true in ancient and modern times. Even though Baoyu was decadent inside and out, Grandmother Jia still treated him the same way.

Ping'er continued, "The Second Madam prepared all the betrothal gifts a few days ago and has already sent four carriages from the West Mansion, plus one from the East Courtyard.

I will go to the Xia Mansion in Qingyufang to propose marriage today. The reason why I have delayed it until this time is because Master Bao’s wedding date has been postponed to March next year.”

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Five large carts of betrothal gifts, this is really a big deal."

Ping Er laughed and said, "The Second Madam has only Master Bao as her child, and he is a very proud person. I'm afraid she has also given up a lot of money."

The two chatted for a while and then went out to have breakfast. Jia Cong then left the house to attend court.

Ping'er, Qingwen and others settled down in the courtyard and waited until daybreak before leaving the courtyard for the West Mansion.

……

She passed through the small gate connecting the two mansions, passed by Lixiang Courtyard, walked through the backyard of Rongqing Hall, and turned into a wide north-south alley.

After a while, they arrived in front of the large painted screen wall. They entered through the big door behind the wall. There were three main rooms, two side rooms on the east and west sides, and several wing rooms. That was Wang Xifeng's courtyard.

Ping'er lifted the red cotton curtain with flowers on it and saw the wet nurse carrying the eldest daughter over, who was being held on the kang by Wang Xifeng and teased.

The kang was covered with bright red felt strips, a large gold-rimmed satin cushion, a chain-link brocade backrest and pillow, and a silver spit box in the corner, which looked bright and magnificent.

Both incense burners were burning red peat mixed with storax slices, emitting warm and fragrant aromas, making the entire room as gentle as spring.

When Wang Xifeng saw Ping'er, she asked with a smile, "Why are you here alone? Why is Wu'er nowhere to be seen? Could it be that she was on duty for Third Brother last night?"

Ping'er blushed and said, "What are you talking about, ma'am? Wu'er got her period today and is resting in her room. She won't come today."

Wang Xifeng said, "You guys are all so slow and unhurried, and you haven't made any movement. Baoyu's room has taken the lead."

Ping Er laughed and said, "You can't force having children. Caixia is just too fertile. Most people can't compare to her.

Besides, Third Master is still young, and he will have many descendants in the future, so there is no need to rush. "

Wang Xifeng lifted her eldest daughter from the kang, swung her in her arms, and said, "The other day the Second Madam invited a doctor to come and see Caixia, who confirmed the good news.

The old lady was happy for a few days. The second wife even told her that she went to the temple to fulfill a vow and get divination, saying that the baby would definitely be a boy.

This is also a lie. I burned incense and made vows many times. No monk or Taoist priest dared to say that I would not have a son. "

But in the end, she gave birth to a girl. I have never heard of any temple that can guarantee the birth of a son."

As Wang Xifeng spoke, she kissed her daughter on the face, making the eldest daughter giggle.

……

Ping'er reached out to pinch the eldest sister's chubby little hand and said with a smile, "What's wrong with being a maid? You will be closer to your mother when you grow up."

Wang Xifeng said, "Ping'er, don't you find it strange that Caixia is just a concubine's daughter, but the second wife takes it very seriously and even goes to the temple to burn incense and fulfill her vows."

Although Ping'er also felt strange, she said, "Perhaps the Second Wife hasn't had a grandchild for a long time since Lang'er was born, and the Second Wife is anxious to have a new grandchild."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "Before Baoyu was the phoenix of Rongguo Mansion, and he gave birth to a concubine before getting married, so no one could gossip about him.

But the situation is different now. Baoyu has become a concubine. Now only the old lady still dotes on him, and everyone in the family still treats him with favor.

When the old lady passes away, how much difference will there be in the sect's status between him and Yun'er, the son of his fifth sister-in-law in the back corridor?

Yun'er can still find a job to make a living and support her mother, but Baoyu is useless and can't study, so he is really no match for her.

Last time, the old lady said that the Xia family was not worthy of Baoyu. This was because the old lady was too partial to Baoyu and confused about the ways of the world.

In the past, when she was the head of the second branch of the Rongguo Mansion, she could still say that she was not worthy of him. But now, with Baoyu's appearance, it would be a bit arrogant to say that he is not worthy of her.

Guihua is the only daughter of the Xia family, a golden Buddha with a fortune of millions. She is more than a match for Baoyu, and I'm afraid she is even better than him.

I have met this Miss Xia several times. Not only is she outstanding in appearance, but her words and actions are also like those of a smart and shrewd person. She doesn't look like someone who is easy to please.

Before she, the first wife, comes into the family, Baoyu has already made the maid pregnant. If she doesn't say anything, I won't believe it at all."

Wang Xifeng herself is a shrew, so it is not surprising that she would assume this of others.

……

She continued, "Besides, there is something strange about Baoyu's marriage, as if one thing is wrong and another is wrong.

The second wife was very skillful in taking a concubine for Baoyu. She made the matter a fait accompli in no time and even gave birth to a child.

But she dragged her feet in discussing the wedding date with the Xia family, and it was pushed back to March next year, which is nearly half a year.

The second wife wanted to marry a daughter-in-law by the end of the year, and Caixia's pregnancy wasn't yet conceived, which at least saved some respect for the Xia family.

By March next year, Caixia's belly will be like a watermelon, and any bride in the world will feel uncomfortable."

Ping Er smiled and said, "Although the Second House is now a concubine, the Second Master is still an official, and the old lady dotes on him so much, it is inevitable that Second Master Bao will have wives and concubines in the future.

Besides, no matter how the second wife makes trouble in the future, it is none of our business. The old lady and the second wife will take care of it."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "You are right. Originally, Brother Cong was careless and didn't bother to care about Baoyu being left in the West Mansion by the old lady.

Last time Baoyu wanted to stop your good deeds, and now brother Cong seems to be getting annoyed with him and has said that Baoyu should return to the East Courtyard after getting married.

Regardless of clan etiquette or family rules, this matter is a foregone conclusion and the old lady cannot stop it.

When the time comes, if they cause trouble in the East Courtyard, it will have nothing to do with us. If there is excitement, we will just watch. If there is no excitement, we will just live our own lives. "

……

Ping'er stepped forward and took the eldest daughter from Wang Xifeng's arms, and carried her around the room, looking as if she couldn't let go.

Suddenly she thought of something and said, "Second Madam, the New Year is coming soon. We need to hurry up and prepare the New Year gifts for Second Master Lian. It will take half a month to send them to Liaodong." Wang Xifeng sighed, "Yesterday I asked Lin Zhixiao's wife to take care of it. She wrote back last time saying that she is doing well there and that her fellow soldiers in the army like her.

Recently he was assigned to transport food and fodder with the army, which was said to be a respectable job in the army, but he was not allowed to leave the camp alone.

I am worried that he will damage his health if he stays in Liaodong for too long, so I have mentioned this to Brother Cong. We will wait for another year before he can leave the camp and move around.

Brother Cong asked Liaodong Xinchunhao to buy two old slaves to take care of their daily food, clothing and water. Let's just endure it for a year."

……

As they were talking, they saw Jia's maid Hubo come in. Wang Xifeng said with a smile, "Sister Hubo, how come you have time to come and visit today?"

Wang Xifeng is much older than Amber. She calls Amber "Sister", just like she calls Yuanyang, but it is a warm and respectful name for them as they are Lady Jia's maids.

Amber smiled and said, "To answer Second Madam's question, Second Madam went to Rongqing Hall to see the old lady today and she said that Caixia has a good face and is likely to give birth to a boy.

The old lady wanted to have a great-grandson sooner, so she prepared two taels of bird's nest every month for Caixia to nourish her body and take care of her pregnancy.

The old lady said that Master Bao is getting married soon, and the second house has too much expenses recently. Consider this two taels of bird's nest as a token of her love for Baoyu. Please give two taels of bird's nest to him every month."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "I know about this. You can go and tell the old lady that she will pick out the best ones to buy."

After Amber left, Wang Xifeng frowned slightly and said, "This is getting more and more rare. This is not the first time that a maid in the mansion has given birth to a child.

Although I entered the house a little late, I heard the old servants in the mansion gossiping that the second wife didn't like illegitimate children.

In fact, this is not surprising. The second wife has many children of her own, so naturally she doesn't like the children born by the concubine.

Even when Aunt Zhao gave birth to Huan'er, she had never heard of the blessing of eating bird's nest every month. It was unexpected that the Madam treated Caixia so well.

After all, she was the maid she had raised since she was a child. It seems that she is the only one in Baoyu's room who can give birth to a son. Could it be that Xiren and Caiyun are also unable to do so?"

Ping Er smiled and said, "Caixia is the lucky one among the maids."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "She is not as lucky as you. Brother Cong has loved his maids since he was young, and he is well-known in the mansion.

His love is different from Baoyu's. If you raise a child in the future, he will give you bird's nest as a meal."

Ping'er wanted to laugh but was too embarrassed to do so. Her pretty face flushed redly, which was very attractive.

Wang Xifeng called Feng'er and said, "We don't sell bird's nests at a lower price than other shops. Auntie's shop has the best ones. Go and ask us to buy another half a catty every month."

……

Rongguo Mansion, Lixiangyuan.

In Baochai's room, there were a few fresh flowers in a vase on the table, the petals of which had already wilted a little. Beside them were two books and a tea box and teacups.

The bed was hung with a green gauze curtain and the quilts were very simple, far less exquisite and gorgeous than the boudoirs of Tanchun, Yingchun and others.

Baochai was flipping through a book in her room when she heard someone talking outside. By chance, Jinchuan came in with a basin of daffodils to replace the fresh flowers in Tuding's vase.

Baochai asked, "Who is talking outside?"

Jin Chuan replied, "It was Miss Feng'er who was with Second Madam. She said that the public house would add half a pound of bird's nest every month, and we should buy the best ones from our shop."

After hearing this, Baochai put down her book, lifted the curtain and entered the main room, just in time to see Feng'er leaving.

He asked, "Mom, doesn't the West Mansion already buy half a pound of bird's nest every month, which is used by the old lady and Sister Feng? Why did you add another half a pound?"

Aunt Xue said: "I heard that it was Auntie who asked the old lady for two taels of bird's nest every month for Caixia to take care of her pregnancy.

It sounds a bit strange. I know your aunt very well. When did she care so much about a maid?"

Baochai was worried when she heard this and asked, "Brother has not been seen these past few days. I heard that he did not come home last night. Mom, please keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't cause any trouble again."

Aunt Xue sighed, "Your brother is like a horse without a bridle, it's impossible to control him, but he did tell me that he has been busy with work these days.

Duan Chunjiang from the grain shop wanted to do the rice business for Tongwenguan, and asked your brother to look for connections everywhere.

I heard that there has been some progress recently. Your brother introduced him to Chen Ruichang, the second grandson of the Duke of Qi. I heard that he is an official at the Five Military Commandery, in charge of the transportation of military supplies.

Your brother said that this man has a lot of connections, and he knows everything about rice and grain in the city. He even has some connections with the Tongwenguan.

Duan Chunjiang met Chen Ruichang and felt like he had found a treasure. He took him out for drinks and socializing every day, and he always asked your brother to accompany him. "

Baochai looked worried and said, "Mom, Duan Chunjiang's grain shop has been doing very well because of my brother's connections and has bought a lot of grain for the wealthy families in Shenjing.

How could this man be so bold that he even wanted to do business with the government? Whenever it comes to government affairs, there are always many twists and turns.

My brother is a reckless person, why would he get involved in these things? The family doesn’t need the money he earns.”

Aunt Xue said, "I understand what you mean. You are worrying too much. My family is a royal merchant and we do government business. I understand the details.

The second grandson of Duke Qi, Chen Ruichang, was not the eldest son of the family, but any son of a wealthy family who could serve as an official in the government must be as shrewd as a ghost.

A small grain merchant like Duan Chunjiang has seen a lot of the world, and he can't play any tricks in front of a child from a wealthy family like Chen Ruichang.

I have advised your brother to stay out of other people's business, but he is in high spirits now and it is impossible to persuade him.

Originally, the second branch was going to send a betrothal gift to the Xia family today. Baoyu doesn't have a brother, so your aunt wanted your brother to escort him so that he could look respectable in front of outsiders.

But your brother was not seen for a day, and later he had to ask Jia Yun, the concubine, to see him off. Your aunt might have felt uncomfortable."

……

Shenjing, Qingyufang, Xia Mansion.

There were five large carriages lined up at the gate of the mansion. Each carriage was decorated with red leather and silk, and looked very festive. Passers-by could tell at a glance that they were the carriages for the wedding.

However, there were five carriages carrying the betrothal gifts. Such a display was extremely rare and could only be seen by a wealthy family.

The young man escorting in front was riding a tall horse, wearing gorgeous clothes and having a handsome appearance. It was obvious that he was from a wealthy family.

Those in the neighborhood who knew the truth would naturally say that Miss Xia was promised to Jia Baoyu, the grandson of the Rongguo mansion.

I heard it was some perfect match, so you can't help but believe what the monks and Taoists say.

People who don't know the truth naturally sigh that smoke is coming out of the Xia family's ancestral tomb, and they have actually married into the family of a duke.

In the main hall of the outer courtyard of the Xia Mansion, Mrs. Xia was drinking tea from a covered bowl when her confidant, Mrs. Chen, hurried into the hall.

Said: "Madam, I just got news from outside that something happened at the Jia family."

After she finished speaking, she whispered in Mrs. Xia's ear. Mrs. Xia's face changed when she heard it, and she asked, "Are you serious? Is the news accurate?"

Mrs. Chen said, "This is absolutely correct. The Jia family has no intention of hiding this matter. They are just about to make it public.

It is said that Madam Jia is very fond of the maid's belly. If you ask anyone on Ningrong Street, everyone will know about this matter."

Mrs. Xia's face turned ugly, she put the teacup back on the table and said, "The Jia family is also a wealthy family, but they do things without any rules.

Although it is common for wealthy families to have three wives and four concubines, couldn't Baoyu wait until they get married?

Now that Jingui is about to get married, Baoyu should get the maid pregnant first. If she gives birth to a concubine, it will bring bad luck to our Xia family!"

At this time, a maid came to tell her that the betrothal gift from the Jia family had been delivered to the door, and asked the lady to bring people to welcome it.

Originally, the Jia family had formally offered the betrothal gift, and the Xia family's plan to cling to the Jia family had finally come to fruition. Mrs. Xia was in a very good mood.

Unexpectedly, when the time came, Mrs. Xia suddenly heard such news and felt as sick as if she had eaten a fly.

But the marriage between the Xia and Jia families was inevitable, and there was no reason to create trouble over a maid. If this got out, outsiders would say that the Xia family had never seen the world.

Besides, there is a chance that the maid will give birth to a money-losing child. Even if she does give birth to a concubine's eldest son, whether he can be raised in the mansion is another matter...

Mrs. Xia was too lazy to go out herself at this moment, so she just asked Mrs. Chen to take people to welcome Jia Yun.

……

Jia Yun was led into the outer hall by Mrs. Chen, who asked the servants to carry the betrothal gifts from the cart into the main hall and spread them all over the room, making the room look very grand and respectable.

Jia Yun was a member of a branch of the Jia family several generations ago. His family had long since fallen into decline. When he saw the room full of betrothal gifts, he was filled with envy.

She felt that it was a very honorable thing for her to help Baoyu propose marriage.

Originally, Huan from the second house should have been sent there. I heard that because of Jin Rong's matter, he was beaten by the second master and couldn't get out of bed. Otherwise, good things would not have happened to him.

Jia Yun originally thought it was a respectable thing, but when he entered the main hall of the Xia family, he vaguely felt that something was wrong.

Although Mrs. Xia was polite and considerate, her expression and behavior were a little distant, even a little cold, which made Jia Yun a little confused.

At this time, a figure behind the screen was tiptoeing away. As soon as he left the main hall of the outer courtyard, he ran towards the inner courtyard in small steps.

Judging from her clothes, this person looks like a maid. She has a slender and attractive figure and a pretty face, but she has a look of indignation on her face...

...(End of chapter)