Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Baoyu Courtyard.

The wind was cold and biting. The locust tree in the yard was bare, having lost all its leaves long ago. Its sharp branches pierced the sky, exuding a sense of bleakness and coldness.

Musk Moon and Bi Hen were called into the side room by Xiren, where they saw Mrs. Wang sitting and drinking tea. The atmosphere seemed a little solemn.

Bihen didn't know what was going on and looked a little dazed. Sheyue had just been talking to Xiren and happened to be seen by Mrs. Wang, so she knew something was wrong.

She knew that her wife had been harboring a grudge against her, and given her wife's personality, it would explode one day.

Although he was nervous, he was a smart man after all, so he didn't lose his composure.

Now he was still in the West Mansion, which was the seat of the eldest wife. Even if his wife made trouble for him, she would not be too unscrupulous.

As long as you can get through this stage, you will always find a chance to catch your breath.

Musk Moon suddenly thought of something. If Master Bao moved back to the East Courtyard, the Madam would decide to send her to another place, as that was the Madam's territory.

At that time, his life and death would be in the hands of his wife. He would have no room for maneuver and there would be no chance of a good ending.

When Sheyue thought about this, she felt a chill in her heart, and she had more ideas...

Madam Wang put down the teacup in her hand, glanced at Sheyue and Bihen, and said, "I asked you to come here today because I have something important to tell you.

Both of you have served Baoyu for many years. According to the rules of the mansion, maids must be released when they reach a certain age.

Although you are not yet of age, things at home are different now than before, and I think you all know that.

Baoyu will get married in the early spring of next year, and when Miss Xia marries into the family, she will definitely bring a few maids as a dowry.

Baoyu's room won't need so many people, so I plan to let you two out, and I will also arrange your place."

After hearing this, Musk Moon felt a little horrified. She thought the mistress was going to find a way to drive her and Bi Hen out.

But she was not sad in her heart. When Qi Xian, Tan Yun and other senior maids were laid off, she knew in her heart that this day would come sooner or later.

Among the maids in the mansion, except for Xiren who entered the master's room and was promoted to concubine,

The rest of the people will leave when they reach a certain age, just like the female officials and maids in the palace who are released every ten years. It's the same principle.

I just arrived a little early, and being kicked out now is much better than going to the East Courtyard and being kicked out again.

Although she felt a little sad, she felt at peace.

But after hearing what Lady Wang said, Bihen was far from being as calm and clear-headed as Sheyue, and she was already in a state of panic.

She had committed adultery with Baoyu many times and had been deflowered by him a long time ago. In the past two years, she had been longing to become Baoyu's concubine.

Unexpectedly, someone else came into Baoyu's room. In addition to Xiren, the lady chose her own maids, Caiyun and Caixia.

She was very disappointed that there was no chance for Bi Hen at all, but she did not give up because she was more or less desperate.

If I'm kicked out now, all my efforts will be in vain. How can I get married when I go out like a broken woman?

I have to let my wife know the good things I have done. Even if I have to leave alive, she will definitely humiliate herself to vent her anger. It is in her best interests to stay.

Bi Hen knelt down in front of Madam Wang and said anxiously, "Madam, I have served the Second Master for many years and never dared to be lazy in doing things.

If Madam thinks that there are too many people in the Second Master's house, you can let me do the rough work, but please don't kick me out, otherwise I will be ashamed to live."

……

Mrs. Wang listened to Bihen's pleading without changing her expression.

Xiren on the side frowned. She knew what kind of person Bihen was and understood why she was so determined to stay.

Last year, Bihen helped Baoyu take a bath, but she didn't come out for two hours, and the floor and bed in the room were all wet.

Even the dumbest person would know what they had done, but no maid in Baoyu's courtyard dared to say anything.

Xiren knew clearly that if anyone told the lady about this, Bihen would definitely be kicked out.

Master Bao lost face because of this and he must hate the informer to death. The gentle water will turn into dead fish eyes and he will definitely not have a good ending in the future.

Therefore, the maidservants around Baoyu, even those with a secretive nature like Qiu Wen, did not dare to leak the news easily.

Because people like Qiu Wen have always wanted to sleep with Baoyu, and she has revealed someone's privacy today, if she succeeds in the future, someone will do the same to her.

Because of this strange taboo, the romantic affair between Bihen and Baoyu was kept a secret in Baoyu Courtyard.

……

Musk Moon is an elder in Baoyu's courtyard, so she is naturally clear about this matter.

When she saw Bi Hen begging so humbly, and knowing why she was panic-stricken, she felt a bit of contempt and a bit of pity in her heart.

But Musk Moon knew in her heart that whether Bihen could stay today was not important to her madam.

But since my wife had already said this, I had no choice but to go out.

Since you are going to be chased away anyway, why bother waiting for others to chase you away? It is better to just do it yourself.

Sheyue knelt down beside Bihen and said, "Madam, since there are too many people in the Second Master's room, someone will have to leave eventually.

I am willing to go out and leave room for the Second Master's room. Since Bihen wants to continue serving, Madam, please be kind and let her stay."

When Xiren heard this, she felt a little anxious. Compared with Sheyue and Bihen, she certainly wanted Sheyue to stay.

Bi Hen, this slut, is only interested in climbing into the Second Master's bed. Is she competing for my favor by keeping her here? It would be better for her to be kicked out sooner rather than later.

However, Musk Moon never had such thoughts. She was a very smart person, with a quick mind and a sharp tongue, and no one dared to look down on her.

In the future, the new grandmother must bring a maid to accompany her, and people like Musk Moon will be her helpers...

Xiren wanted to plead for Musk Moon, but when she saw Lady Wang's cold face, she remembered that she had just had a private conversation with Musk Moon, which happened to be seen by the lady.

She swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth...

When Mrs. Wang heard that Musk Moon took the initiative to go out, even though it was exactly what she wanted, she still felt a little angry.

Musk Moon should beg Bi Hen to stay, just like she did, so that Lady Wang would feel more comfortable as a superior, even though she would definitely drive her out.

She didn't expect Musk Moon to be so straightforward. She must have seen through her thoughts, so she spoke first. What a cunning and mean girl!
Madam Wang turned a deaf ear to Bihen’s pleas and said coldly to Sheyue, “Since you are willing to go out, that would be the best.

You have served in Baoyu's room for many years, I will not treat you unfairly and will arrange a good place for you!"

After Mrs. Wang finished speaking, she stood up and left the side room. Bi Hen was still kneeling on the ground, not knowing whether she was going to be kicked out or could stay.

Musk Moon originally thought that since she was a house-born child, since she was driven out of Baoyu's room, she would naturally return to her parents' home.

I heard Mrs. Wang’s last words: I will arrange a good place for you.

No matter how she listened to it, it sounded like there was some ill intention behind it, and she couldn't help but feel a chill in her heart.

According to the rules in the Jia family, as long as she did not leave Baoyu's room, she was still a maid in the second room, and Mrs. Wang had the right to deal with her, even her parents could not do anything about it.

……

After Mrs. Wang left the yard, Bihen went out in a daze, and went to Baoyu's room, apparently to plead with Baoyu.

Xiren was too lazy to pay attention to her because she knew Baoyu's temper well. If the lady wanted to ask someone to leave, the second master would never dare to stop her.

She just complained to Sheyue, "Why are you doing this? Although Madam asked you to leave, Bihen begged Madam and she didn't want to go out.

Didn't the madam let her go? Why did you jump out on your own? You're blocking your way out."

Musk Moon said, "Sister Xiren, you should have seen that Madam has long been tired of me and will chase me away sooner or later.

My wife said these things today just to get me to leave. Why should I stay here? It's boring for everyone.

Last time, Qi Xian, Tan Yun and others were laid off, but Master Bao kept me because I had worked in this courtyard for many years and he did so out of consideration for our old friendship.

Naturally, I will serve loyally without any hesitation. Even if there is a better place to go, I will not climb up the ladder, otherwise I will feel uneasy.

But now it is Madam who wants to drive me away, not because I have not done my job well. I have done my best for the Second Master, so even if I am driven away, I will not feel at a loss. "

When Xiren saw Musk Moon's firm tone, she knew that she no longer wanted to stay and it was useless to persuade her any more. Besides, if the lady wanted her to leave, who could stop her?

Musk Moon returned to her room, sat on the bed for a while, then got up and went to pack her things in the closet.

Thinking of Mrs. Wang's words: I will arrange a place for her. I can't help but feel uneasy.

She got up and left the house. Seeing that the yard was quiet and there was no one else, she left the yard alone.

……

Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong Courtyard.

At sunset, the sun sets in the west, the sky is gloomy, and the wind is cold. It is suddenly a bit colder than during the day.

Jia Cong left the yamen and entered the inner courtyard. Before he reached the gate, he saw a maid wandering on the cobblestone corridor.

She wore a rose-red embroidered sleeveless jacket, a pink floral padded jacket, an ivory cloth skirt, and a pine green sweat towel tied around her waist.

The girl has thick black hair, a pretty and clean face, a slender and delicate figure, and exudes a sense of decisiveness. She is none other than the maid Xiaohong.

Jia Cong saw her walking back and forth on the roadside, feeling a little uncomfortable with the cold, rubbing her hands and breathing out. He walked up to her and asked, "Xiaohong, why are you hanging around here?"

When Xiao Hong saw Jia Cong, she said happily, "Third Master, you are back home. I have something important to discuss with you."

Jia Cong said with a smile: "If you have something to ask me, why don't you wait in the courtyard? You are standing here in the cold wind."

Xiao Hong said, "I am anxious and want to see Master San as soon as possible."

Jia Cong saw Xiaohong's big eyes looking at him eagerly, and thought that she must have something important to ask him.

He smiled and said, "If you have anything to say, come with me to the study and we'll talk."

After the two of them entered the study, Jia Cong asked Yinglian to get some hot tea and give it to Xiaohong to drive away the cold.

He smiled and said, "What's so important that you should intercept me halfway?"

Xiao Hong said, "Third Master, the Second Madam wants to kick Sister Sheyue out and not let her stay in Master Bao's courtyard. She also said she will arrange another place for her."

Jia Cong frowned and said, "What's wrong with the Second Madam? She always chases the maids away from her room.

Although I have never spoken to Musk Moon, I often see her when I go in and out of the West Mansion. I have also heard from others that she is a good girl, who is eloquent and smart in her work.

Since she is a smart person, how could she provoke the second wife to chase her away?"

……

After Mrs. Wang spoke during the day, Musk Moon was not afraid of being driven out.

She has always been shrewd, and many things that have happened in Baoyu's courtyard recently have made her a little discouraged. Mrs. Wang's rejection of her has made her want to quit.

Although it may not sound good to kick her out at this time, it may not be a bad thing to keep her away from trouble in the future.

But she was worried that Mrs. Wang had ill intentions and would not only drive her out of Baoyu Courtyard, but would also find other ways to humiliate her.

She remembered that Xiaohong once said that if anything happened in Baoyu Courtyard and she could no longer stay there, she must remember to ask her for help.

Musk Moon thought about what the two had been talking about. It had been less than half a year, but unfortunately what they said came true. She couldn't help but smile bitterly.

She had stayed in the second house for many years and knew that Mrs. Wang was a powerful figure in the harem. If she really tried to make things difficult for her, she, a servant girl, would not be able to resist.

So she didn't dare to delay for a moment and slipped away to Rong Xi Tang to ask Xiao Hong for help.

Musk Moon knew very well that if Xiao Hong knew about this, she would definitely go to Master Cong to plead for mercy, so she told her the whole story, without missing a word.

When Xiaohong heard the reason, she was not worried but happy. She even said that she would go to the East Palace to wait, and would wait until the Third Master returned no matter how late it was, and would definitely plead for mercy with him.

……

In Jia Cong's study, Xiaohong saw Jia Cong asking the reason and naturally reported the whole thing truthfully.

Xiaohong was eloquent and had a clear mind. Sheyue told her the reason, which was quite complicated and tangled, but she explained it clearly without any loopholes.

After hearing the story, Jia Cong asked a few more questions carefully, and Xiaohong answered them one by one.

Xiao Hong said, "Sister Sheyue is not worried about being driven away, but the Second Madam wants to arrange another place for her, which sounds a bit unkind.

Sister Musk Moon was scared, so she came to me to discuss this matter. I think it would be best to ask Third Master for help. Just one word from Master can save Sister Musk Moon."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "This Musk Moon is a sensible person and a good girl, but it's a pity that the Second Wife is unwilling to use her.

Although Musk Moon is a maid in the second wife's house, the first wife is now in charge and the second wife has not yet separated from the West Mansion's family.

All the maids in the second house belong to the royal family. The second wife wants to drive Musk Moon out of the second house, and the first house can't do anything about it.

But now that Musk Moon has left the second house, it is no longer the second wife who has the final say on how the land is allocated. This is the family law and ancestral etiquette.

It would be fine if I didn't know about this, but now that I know about it, I won't pretend not to see it.

If Musk Moon has done nothing wrong, she won't suffer. Otherwise, if she doesn't even have a sense of justice, how can she manage the family in the future?"

After hearing this, Xiaohong's eyes sparkled, her pretty face turned pink, and she was full of joy. Jia Cong could see that she and Sheyue had a very deep affection for each other.

He smiled and said, "Go back and tell Sheyue quietly, and let her rest assured that even if she is not in the second room, there will always be a suitable place for her to go.

Just ask her to keep her mouth shut and not let anyone else know what happened today, so there will be fewer complications in the future."

After hearing what Jia Cong said, Xiaohong was filled with joy. She stood up, bowed to Jia Cong, and left happily.

Jia Cong called Yinglian over, gave her some detailed instructions, and asked her to go to the West Mansion and pass the message to Wang Xifeng.

……

After Yinglian left, Jia Cong thought back to what Xiaohong had just said, and some doubts arose in his mind.

According to Xiaohong, Qiu Wen has been transferred to the East Courtyard in Baoyu's room, and now there are three future concubines left: Xiren, Caiyun and Caixia.

Among them, Caixia was pregnant and needed someone to take care of her. The only two regular maids around Baoyu were Sheyue and Bihen.

The staff is not too abundant, although when Miss Xia marries into the Jia family, she will definitely bring a few maids as a dowry.

But that was half a year later. Why was Mrs. Wang in a hurry to drive away Sheyue and Bihen? These two had been in Baoyu's room for many years and knew each other well.

Mrs. Wang has always been particular about luxury and ostentation. When Wang Xifeng laid off Baoyu's maids and servants, Mrs. Wang was so furious.

Now he is cutting off Baoyu's facade himself, which is a bit strange. There must be something wrong when things are abnormal. There must be a reason that he is not aware of.

And according to Xiaohong, this Musk Moon is not only eloquent and shrewd, but also knows how to advance and retreat, which is rare among the maids.

Such a clever girl is rare, and all masters like her more.

But Mrs. Wang just couldn't tolerate her and wanted to drive her out day and night. Was it because what she said made Mrs. Wang feel unpleasant?
Even if Musk Moon is Baoyu's old lady in the room, why should she be so heartless?
……

When it was getting dark and dinner was served in the main hall in the courtyard, Yinglian came back from the West Mansion with Wu'er and Ping'er.

Yinglian said that she had already told the second mistress, and she told the third master not to worry, she would take care of the matter.

Ping'er and Wu'er both knew about this, but since the truth had not yet been revealed, they did not discuss it at the dinner table.

After dinner, Jia Cong went to the study, and Yinglian followed him in, holding a cup of freshly brewed tea.

I saw the Third Master take out the beautiful telescope and play with it in his hands. After a while, he took out the drawings from a few days ago and made some changes on them.

He was seen taking out a map from the bookshelf, unfolding it on the desk, and looking at it carefully while holding up a candlestick.

Yinglian saw the words "Map of Mountains and Rivers of the Nine Towns of the Great Zhou" written on the top of the map. She didn't quite understand it, so she took a piece of rice paper and practiced calligraphy.

When it was almost midnight, Jia Cong saw Yinglian yawning with her hands covering her mouth, so he smiled and tidied up the things on the table, urging her to go back to bed.

……

When I returned to the room, the incense burner was warm and the candlelight on the dressing table was flickering brightly.

Ping'er was making his bed. When she saw Jia Cong come in, she smiled and went forward to help him change his clothes.

Jia Cong saw that she was wearing a goose yellow round-necked dress, had a graceful figure, and a fragrant breath, which was very moving.

Ping'er said, "The Third Master has been staying in the study for a long time these days. I heard from Wu'er that this is how the Third Master would behave in the past when he was taking exams."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I have been worried about a lot of things recently. The Firearms Department has to complete the emperor's mission before the New Year, so we have been rushing to work these days.

The remaining 800 Mongols came to the capital to seek peace, and by the end of the year, the capital city was still not at peace.

Even if the Mongols come to seek peace, wars in the Nine Frontiers are likely to be unavoidable. Once the Great Zhou and the remnants of the Mongols go to war, the Firearms Department will be even busier. "

Ping Er was worried and asked, "Third Master, you once led an army to fight in Liaodong.

If the court goes to war with the Mongols, will the emperor send you to the north again?"

Jia Cong said: "It's hard to say for sure, but now I have entered the Hanlin Academy and become a regular civil servant.

It’s not as convenient for me to lead troops to war anymore.”

Ping Er heaved a sigh of relief and said, "Third Master has everything now. Fighting on the battlefield sounds scary. It's better to have nothing."

Jia Cong smiled slightly. Emperor Jia Zhao had repeatedly shown favor and support to him. It would not be easy for him to live a leisurely life.

But he wouldn't tell Ping'er this, so as not to make her worry too much.

Ping Erh said, "I heard Yinglian talk about She Yue. Although She Yue has a sharp tongue, her mind and character are impeccable.

Since childhood, I have been best friends with more than ten girls including Yuanyang, Xiren, Sheyue, Zijuan and Jinchuan.

Why can't the Second Wife tolerate him? I just can't bear to see her suffer."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "I already know about this matter. Second sister-in-law knows how to manage it better. Musk Moon will not suffer any loss. Sister Ping'er can rest assured."

The two chatted some more. Ping'er saw Jia Cong got on the bed, so she helped him lower the bed curtains and went to the side couch herself.

Jia Cong lifted the quilt and lay down, and found that it was warm inside, with a fragrant and refreshing scent, which was exactly the smell of Ping'er.

I think it’s a cold winter night now, and Ping’er has already warmed the bed for me before I entered the room… (End of this chapter)