Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Jia Cong was somewhat surprised when he heard Wang Xifeng say that she wanted to address the matter in court.

However, he knew that Wang Xifeng was shrewd and capable, a top-notch lady of the inner quarters, and handled matters with great care and consideration, and would not easily make a mistake.

Since she speaks frankly, she must have her reasons, which shows that the Xue family entrusted her with this matter without any attempt to hide it from others, making people feel even more at ease.

Hearing this, Grandmother Jia was puzzled. Jia Cong was an official in the capital, so how could he, being so far away, help the Xue family's business in Jinling?

But she didn't care much, listening to what Wang Xifeng said, just taking it as a joke to pass the time.

Yuanyang had just brewed Lao Jun Mei tea, poured a cup into a white porcelain covered bowl, and presented it to Grandmother Jia.

Grandmother Jia took the tea, sipped it twice, and said with a smile, "This Lao Jun Mei tea is brewed so fragrantly today. Cong-ge'er has just arrived, so there's no need to have the maids brew any more tea."

"Yuanyang, bring a bowl of this newly made Lao Jun Mei tea to Cong-ge'er, so he can taste it too."

Yuanyang quickly agreed, took a new covered bowl, brewed a pot of wine, and brought it to Jia Cong. Jia Cong smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Yuanyang."

Standing behind Jia Cong, Ping'er's bright eyes darted around, and she saw Yuanyang blush slightly after hearing Jia Cong's thanks.

He couldn't help but feel strange. Yuanyang was usually straightforward and generous, so why did she blush when Third Master said something?
Ping'er was, after all, a girl. Her mind raced for a moment before she realized what was going on. She pursed her lips and suppressed a smile.

Thinking back to when my grandmother mentioned this matter, I thought it was just the old lady's scheme.

I never expected that Yuanyang had already developed such feelings. Third Master is really good at provoking people, and Yuanyang is so fiery. I wonder how this will end...

……

Compared to Grandmother Jia's composure, Lady Wang's heart skipped a beat when she heard that the Xue family wanted to ask Jia Cong for help with their business in Jinling.

Of the four prominent families of Jinling—the Jia, Wang, Shi, and Xue families—the Xue family lost its official positions two generations ago, while the other three families still hold high official ranks and titles.

However, the Xue family had been imperial merchants for generations and were well-known wealthy merchants in Jiangnan. In terms of gold and silver, their wealth surpassed that of the other three families.

The proverb that goes, "A good year with heavy snow is like pearls falling to the ground and gold falling to the ground," which is popular in Nanjing, may be somewhat exaggerated, but it is by no means unfounded.

When Lady Wang took a liking to Xue Baochai, she was determined to bring about a perfect match between them, not only because she and Aunt Xue were blood relatives.

It wasn't just because Baochai was exceptionally beautiful and was Lady Wang's niece, but also because of the astonishing wealth accumulated by the Xue family over generations.

In traditional aristocratic families, once a daughter is married, she is considered like water spilled from a bowl.

Even though Baochai was an outstanding person, once she got married, apart from receiving some dowry, she couldn't get a single penny of the family's wealth.

However, the Xue family's situation was different. Xue Pan, the only legitimate son of the eldest branch of the Xue family, was a good-for-nothing playboy.

Not only does he lack any skills and accomplish nothing, but he also causes trouble and invites disaster. His so-called inheritance of the family business is nothing but a joke.

Furthermore, because Xue Pan caused a murder case in Jinling, Lady Wang personally participated in plotting to exonerate him.

Ultimately, Jia Yucun used the excuse that Xue Pan died of a sudden illness to help Xue Pan escape criminal punishment, thus making Xue Pan an unregistered resident.

Anyone with a modicum of shrewdness would know that Jia Yucun's brutal methods would leave the Xue family with endless troubles.

Unfortunately, Lady Wang was exactly in line with Jia Yucun's behavior, though her intentions were undeniably sinister.

……

Because Xue Pan had become a dead household in Jinling, the Xue family moved to Shenjing to avoid trouble.

Now that Aunt Xue is in her prime and the matriarch of the Xue family business, the matter of Xue Pan's unregistered status has hidden potential for future troubles, and cannot be brought to light for the time being.

However, after Aunt Xue passed away, or for other reasons, her son would need to inherit and manage the family business.

The trouble caused by Jia Yucun's unregistered household status will eventually lead to an insurmountable disaster for the Xue family's ancestral business.

According to official documents, Xue Pan, being a dead man, could not inherit even a single tael of the Xue family's property.

At that time, Xue Baochai became the only bloodline of the Xue family's eldest branch, although according to common sense, women could not inherit the family business.

However, Xue Pan was a dissolute and incompetent young man with an unclear background. He didn't know how to manage the family business and could only rely on his intelligent and capable younger sister, Baochai.

As long as the perfect match can be achieved, relying on the power of the Jia family of Rongguo, the connections of Wang Ziteng of the Wang family, and Xue Pan, this living dead man, as a cover, they can succeed.

It was only natural that the second branch of the Rongguo Mansion would take over the Xue family's inherited wealth; Xue Pan, that big fool, was simply being supported for nothing.

His son, Baoyu, not only possessed the noble lineage of the Rongguo Mansion but also inherited the wealth of the Xue family. He was destined for a life of riches and honors, unmatched by anyone else.

Lady Wang kept her thoughts very well hidden, never revealing a word of them even to Grandmother Jia, Jia Zheng, and others.

In her heart, the marriage of a golden couple was no different from a house full of gold and jade, a match made in heaven, and the most suitable marriage for her son Baoyu.

It was a perfectly good marriage, but things just had to go wrong.

In the pouring rain that day, she witnessed Jia Cong and Baochai embracing and engaging in illicit acts in broad daylight.

Their personal maids actually turned away and avoided them, letting the two of them do such a shameful thing.

Even if Lady Wang favored the Xue family's marriage proposal, she was determined not to accept her niece, who had already been taken advantage of by Jia Cong. Otherwise, wouldn't it be a disgrace to her own Baoyu?

Originally, Lady Wang wanted to make a big fuss about this matter to damage Jia Cong's reputation in officialdom.

Unexpectedly, his master saw through the scheme and, hoping to use this boy to bring honor to the Jia family, issued a strict order forbidding any word of the matter from being leaked.

Although Lady Wang dared not disobey her husband, she hated Jia Cong more and more for his despicable and licentious behavior, which ruined her son Baoyu's marriage.

Now, listening to Wang Xifeng's story, the Xue family's business in Jinling actually needs Jia Cong's help. Isn't my own sister inviting a wolf into the house?

Lady Wang felt uneasy, as if the Xue family's business and wealth were her own possessions, fearing that Jia Cong would seize them for himself.

……

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "A few days ago, my aunt chatted with me and said that the Xue family's business has been sluggish in recent years, and their family has settled in Shenjing."

The shops and businesses in Jinling were somewhat beyond her reach and couldn't be taken care of properly, which had been a headache for her.

Although Baochai is smart and capable, she is, after all, a young lady and should not be out in the public eye. Her brother Pan is still unsettled and lacks the experience to take care of the family business.

After much deliberation, Aunt and Sister Baochai decided that rather than watching the family business fall into ruin day by day, they should think of another proper way.

Even if they earn less money, they would be content as long as their family business survives.

My aunt has many old connections in Nanjing, and through correspondence, she heard that Miss Qu's Xinchun Shop is doing very well and is currently thriving.

My aunt figured that if she wanted to do big business, she would need good shops, and the Xue family had many good shops in Jinling.

She planned to rent several shops to Xinchunhao at full price, so the eldest daughter wouldn't have to worry about the shops, and the Xue family would have Xinchunhao as a backing. They could also earn a sum of money to help offset the family business's decline—a win-win situation for everyone.

Jia Cong smiled and said, "This sounds feasible, but we all live in the same mansion and see each other every day."

"Since it's a mutually beneficial matter, Auntie or Sister Bao could have just spoken to me directly. Why go through all that trouble for my sister-in-law?"

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "What a coincidence! I asked my aunt about this too. She said she still owes you a favor, and she really can't bring herself to ask you to help her with her business now."

Although Baochai is close to you, she is still a young lady and it's not appropriate for her to show off too much. It's really not quite right for her to talk about family wealth and business in front of you.

So they asked my sister-in-law to mediate. Anyway, I'm thick-skinned and don't need so many formalities.

……

Grandmother Jia laughed loudly upon hearing this and said, "You little monkey, you can't even be serious in front of your own brothers. You have such a thick skin, you even start bragging."

However, you resolved this matter very well. We are all on the same side, and it's a win-win situation, which is the best possible outcome.

Although I have never met Miss Qu, she is a woman of good manners and ability. She is also a rare female merchant in the Imperial Household Department, truly a first-rate person.

The concubine is a shrewd woman; she's quite perceptive to have recognized Miss Qu's merits.

Madam Wang felt disgusted upon hearing this. This had nothing to do with the old lady, so why should she have to carry that man surnamed Qu's sedan chair?

Everyone in this household knows that the woman surnamed Qu from Jinling is Cong-ge'er's lover. This woman can run such a big business; she's no pushover.

If this woman gets involved with the Xue family's ancestral shop now, she might one day swallow up the Xue family's assets, and in the end, it will all benefit Cong-ge'er.

If it weren't for this brat seducing Baochai, all these things should have belonged to me, Baoyu...

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Recently, Xiu Jie and I have been exchanging letters frequently. She did mention expanding her business, and coincidentally, she mentioned shops in the city."

It is said that the best-located shops in Jinling City are all in the hands of those powerful families. Even if you have money, you can't buy them, and if you want to rent them, the price will be inflated on the spot.

"Since Aunt has such a good idea, and it's come at the perfect time, I think it's feasible. I'll write to Sister Xiu as soon as I get back and tell her about it."

Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "Since Brother Cong has already spoken, I can say that I have done it. It will also save face in front of my aunt. She can't skimp on the red envelope as a thank you gift."

……

Upon hearing this, Grandmother Jia burst into laughter again, and the atmosphere in the hall became even more harmonious. Wang Xifeng then sent Ping'er to Pear Fragrance Courtyard to convey a message, inviting Aunt Xue and Baochai to come and have a talk.

When Madam Wang saw that the matter had actually been accomplished, she couldn't help but feel frustrated and depressed. How come this boy got all the good things in the mansion?

She suddenly thought of her younger sister, who had married into a wealthy merchant family and, after years of experience, was quite clever.
But she still couldn't match her daughter Baochai's intelligence and wit; her younger sister might not have thought of such a quick way to make money by renting out a shop.

It was probably her niece Baochai's idea. She was having an affair with Cong-ge'er, and she had been covering up the scandal for him out of kinship.

She hasn't even earned a proper title yet, and she's already given all the benefits from her family to this guy. How come I never noticed before how shameless this girl is?

If it weren't for my kindness as their aunt, how could they have moved into the Rongguo Mansion? She never showed my Baoyu that kind of affection...

Just as everyone was relaxed and happy, only Madam Wang was depressed and resentful. Then the curtain at the entrance of the hall was lifted, and Ping'er led Aunt Xue and Baochai into the hall.

Seeing her sister's beaming face, Madam Wang must have been very pleased with herself.

Her niece Baochai also smiled sweetly, her cheeks flushed, beautiful and charming, her bright eyes sparkling, and she couldn't help but look at Jia Cong.

This fueled Lady Wang's jealousy even more...

……

Baoyu was unwilling to come to Rongqing Hall because his sisters were not there.

He once hesitated and frankly admitted to Xiren and Caiyun that he was preoccupied with praising Jia Mu and had long forgotten about it.

Later, when Jia Cong entered the hall, he felt even more uneasy.

Then she saw the beautiful Ping'er by his side, glancing back at him from time to time with a hidden smile, showing their mutual affection. Her heart ached even more.

He vaguely felt that he and Xiren, Caiyun, Caixia and others did not seem to have the same harmonious relationship as Jia Congping'er.

He could only lament the injustice of Heaven, which favored such corrupt and greedy people, sending him the most beautiful daughters in the world to be ruined and abused.

To be treated so coldly by someone of such integrity and purity, I am filled with regret and despair, while the bright moon shines on the ditch.

Upon seeing Baochai enter the hall, so elegant and beautiful that her previous gloomy mood vanished instantly.

Thinking back to that day when she made a boastful statement outside Rongqing Hall, and then became embarrassed and disheveled at the venison banquet, Baochai was not present and probably had no idea what had happened.

I didn't feel awkward or embarrassed in front of her. I was just about to go up and say a few nice words to comfort my empty and sad heart.

But Baochai lifted the curtain and entered the hall, as if she hadn't seen him at all. Her bright, beautiful eyes were fixed on Jia Cong.

She then naturally walked over to Jia Cong and sat down to his right, their posture quite intimate. Baoyu immediately felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave...

…………

After Aunt Xue sat down, Wang Xifeng said with a smile, "Aunt, I've got this done for you. Brother Cong said he'll write a letter to Miss Qu as soon as he gets back."

"You two can discuss and decide on the details yourselves later, but you can't forget about my thank-you gift; I absolutely need that as a token of my appreciation."

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "Just tell me what you want, and I'll give you whatever I have. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "I'll have to go back and think about it carefully. It's rare for my aunt to be so generous, so I can't be too polite about this cut."

Grandmother Jia laughed and scolded, "You're such a troublemaker. You grew up in Jinling, but you don't help your aunt with any ideas or arrangements. You just keep making a fuss."

Aunt Xue smiled and said, "Since Cong-ge'er is so kind and willing to help with this matter, as for the specifics of how to handle it, I'm getting old and my mind isn't working as well anymore."

"Just let Baochai worry about it. They're all family sisters; young people get along well and are more efficient than us older folks."

Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "That's what you say, Auntie. We old folks should just enjoy our blessings."

Bao'er is always clever and quick-witted, even better than Feng'er; it's time for her to gain some experience.

Hearing this, Madam Wang became even more certain that her guess was absolutely correct. This idea was indeed Bao'er's. Girls really are outgoing and shameless!
Jia Cong asked Baochai with a smile, "Sister Bao, have you decided whether to rent those shops to Xinchun Shop?"

Baochai smiled and said, "I haven't decided yet, but the shops on Ping Shi Street, Feng Qi Street, and Gao Chun Old Street are all excellent..."

When Baoyu saw Baochai facing Jia Cong, she smiled radiantly, looking incredibly beautiful. However, this beautiful woman, in the prime of her life, was completely devoted to another.

A deep sorrow welled up within him, his blood surged, and he was about to step forward and speak… (End of Chapter)