Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Jia Cong's Courtyard.

After everyone had dinner, the snow outside was still falling, fluttering down like goose feathers.

Under the clear blue sky, the nearby courtyards and distant pavilions were all bathed in a layer of silvery luster.

Jia Cong got up to escort Baochai back to Pear Fragrance Courtyard. Because it was snowing and cold at night, he told Yinglian and the others not to come along, as it would be more convenient for him to go back and forth on his own.

When Jia Cong returned to the courtyard after seeing Baochai off, the tables, chairs, bowls, and dishes in the main room had been cleared away, and most of the candlesticks and candles had been extinguished, leaving only a few for lighting.

Upon entering the main room, the candlelight was soft and warm, and a red brocade quilt was spread out on the bed, wrapping around her slender and graceful body.

Her thick, jet-black hair was piled on the pillow, revealing a section of her fiery red collar and a patch of snow-white neck skin.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Qingwen lifted a corner of the quilt and turned around, smiling, "Third Master, you're back so soon. Why don't you stay a little longer at Pear Fragrance Courtyard?"

"It would be a good opportunity to chat with Miss Bao. It would be a waste to go back so early; I've only just lain down, and the bed isn't even warm yet."

When Jia Cong saw Qingwen dressed in a bright red dress, her skin appeared even whiter than snow, and she looked as beautiful as a fairy. He couldn't help but admire her for a few moments.

The teasing tone in her words sounded like that of Lin Daiyu.

He laughed and said, "You're the one who loves to grind your teeth the most. Baochai and I are talking about serious business today, not idle chatter."

With great interest, Qingwen wrapped the quilt tighter around herself and asked, "Third Master, do you think Miss Lin is better, or Miss Bao is better, or both?"

Jia Cong laughed, "You're so clever and quirky, asking such tricky questions. I think it's still..."

Qingwen's big, watery eyes were wide open and shining with curiosity and excitement, just waiting for Jia Cong to reveal the truth.

Seeing her expression, Jia Cong laughed and said, "Forget it, I'd better not say anything, lest you keep making a fuss with your little mouth."

Qingwen deflated immediately and said defiantly, "Third Master is talking nonsense. I keep my mouth shut the longest. When have I ever stopped keeping quiet?"

I saw Third Master chatting idly with Miss Bao today, their faces beaming with joy; he must think she's better.

Jia Cong laughed and said, "You're just rambling on again. I find it quite amusing to chat with you, so you're pretty good too."

Qingwen blushed and pouted, saying, "Third Master is just saying nice things to coax me again. Does he really think I'm stupid?"

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Now you are becoming more and more capable of managing the household. Today, with Wu'er and Ping'er not here, you have made the most of the arrangements."

"They even thought of setting up a small table for Baochai, which is much more thoughtful than before."

Qingwen smiled smugly, becoming even more beautiful and dazzling, and said with a smile, "Finally, you've seen my good points. Third Master, warm yourself by the fire first, I'll be ready in a little while."

As he spoke, he wrapped himself in the brocade quilt and then covered his head with it, wanting to warm up the bed as quickly as possible.

Jia Cong smiled, turned on the incense burner and added red clay charcoal. Before long, the room became even warmer and cozier.

There was a copper basin on the washstand in the room, filled with hot water that was still slightly hot to the touch, which Qingwen must have prepared beforehand.

He washed his face and mouth, blew out most of the candles in the room, and then went to the clothes rack to change into his pajamas.

After a while of running around, Qingwen remained silent in bed. Normally, she would have gotten up to serve her long ago.

He approached and lifted a corner of the quilt, discovering that Qingwen's pretty face was flushed, her breathing was even and long, and she had already fallen asleep.

It seems that she covered her head with the warm blankets, which unknowingly made her sleepy. She then added charcoal to the fire, making the room even warmer and more conducive to sleep.

Seeing that she was sleeping soundly, Jia Cong couldn't bear to wake her. Fortunately, his canopy bed was very spacious, and even if several more people slept in it, it wouldn't be crowded.

He then took the quilt and pillows from the small couch, spread them out outside Qingwen, and lay down.

Having just had a few drinks with Baochai, he was far from drunk, but felt quite tired and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

……

The night was deep and quiet, and Jia Cong was fast asleep. He didn't know how much time had passed, but it was still dark outside the window. He woke up at the usual time.

The bed felt fragrant, soft, and warm, like springtime.

He noticed that Qingwen's red brocade quilt had been half-opened, revealing her red undergarment and her full, round breasts rising and falling slightly.

It seems the two of them shared a bed, and there was incense burning in the room, so the bed was warm at night. Qingwen was a restless sleeper and tucked half of the blanket in.

Jia Cong couldn't help but smile. He sat up, pulled the blanket over her, and was about to cover himself with it again, but the blanket was ice-cold to the touch.

When Qingwen sat up, she was startled awake and realized that she had been sleeping next to Jia Cong, and that the two had shared a bed all night. Her pretty face turned bright red.

Rubbing his eyes, he said, "How did I fall asleep? Why didn't you wake me up, Third Master?"

Jia Cong, fearing she would be embarrassed, laughed and said, "I called you yesterday, but you were sleeping so soundly that I couldn't wake you up even if I tried to push you, so I just let you sleep here."

Qingwen was a little confused and said, "How could I sleep so soundly? I'm usually very alert."

Although she was a little shy, it wasn't a big deal. She had been serving Jia Cong since she was ten years old, and was already past the age of being a bedmate.

But as her personal maid, she had been inseparable from him since childhood and they had shared many intimate moments. It seemed that her shyness was no match for her sleepiness in the early morning.

Jia Cong laughed and said, "It doesn't matter where you sleep, this bed can't even fit you, and you're never still when you're sleeping."

As he spoke, he lifted the covers and wrapped her inside, laughing, "Your covers are so cold, why don't you warm up here?"

You used to warm the bed for me, now I'll warm it for you too.

Qingwen felt warm all over, mixed with Jia Cong's scent, which made her heart race and even made her sleepy a little less.

Although they used to laugh and joke freely every time they were on night duty, they had never shared a pillow and a jacket like this before.

Suddenly, he said, "Third Master, the old women in the courtyard said that if a man suddenly starts saying nice things to you and makes you dizzy, he's probably up to something bad."

Jia Cong suppressed his laughter and said, "Qingwen, why are all the old women in the inner courtyard so friendly with you? They always say such nice things to you."

Qingwen snorted and said, "They're not close to me, they're just trying to curry favor with me because I'm Third Master's maid."

Jia Cong suppressed a laugh and said, "I didn't expect that you, who are usually so quick-witted, are actually quite sharp. Since they love to talk dirty, you probably know what is wrong."

Qingwen's pretty face gradually turned red. She shifted a couple of times in the quilt and said defiantly, "Of course I know what bad things are, I've just heard of them but never seen them."

Jia Cong couldn't help but laugh out loud. He reached out and hugged her slender waist, kissing her cheeks and lips a few times. He felt her skin was smooth and her fragrance was intoxicating.

Qingwen trembled all over, completely unable to resist, and mumbled, "Third Master, why are you kissing me out of the blue..."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Haven't you ever seen anything bad before?"

Qingwen said softly and tremblingly, "I haven't served tea to the old lady yet. I wouldn't do anything bad; it would be too shameful."

Jia Cong suppressed a laugh and felt a touch of emotion. Just as he was about to tease her a few more times, he suddenly heard a knock on the door and then the door was pushed open.

Qingwen and Jia Cong were being intimate in the inner chamber. Although she was shy, she felt sweet inside. However, when they were suddenly caught in the act, she immediately became furious.

She hurriedly threw off the covers and instinctively tried to hide in the corner of the bed, but it was too late. Wu'er, who was carrying a copper basin of hot water, saw everything clearly.

……

Wu'er blushed slightly, spat, and said with a half-smile, "Qingwen, you and Third Master drank the nuptial wine last night. I was too impulsive."

Qingwen didn't hide this time. Ignoring her shyness, she jumped off the bed and shouted, "What nonsense are you talking about? Third Master didn't give me any wine to drink together. You're the one who's framing me."

Last night I was warming the bed for Third Master and accidentally fell asleep. We were just sharing a bed, so don't get the wrong idea.

Wu'er, being an experienced woman, saw that Qingwen was agile and bouncy as she got off the bed, unlike someone who had just received favors, and knew that there was nothing else going on.

He found it somewhat amusing and strange; Third Master had shared a bed with this girl last night, and yet nothing had actually happened…

Wu'er put down the copper basin and took Qingwen's padded jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

He laughed and scolded, "In this cold weather, you're running around in just your undershirt. I bet you'll get frostbite. If you get a headache or fever in this freezing weather, I'm not going to take care of you."

Hearing Wu'er's words, Qingwen breathed a sigh of relief and muttered softly to Jia Cong, "It's all your fault."

She then helped Jia Cong change out of his pajamas and put on his padded jacket and outer robe. She took a comb and styled his hair. His pretty face was still flushed, making him even more beautiful and charming.

After the three of them finished getting ready, they went into the main room together, where Lingguan Yinglian had already set out breakfast on the table.

Before dawn, the entire courtyard was already awake, with maids frequently moving back and forth on the veranda.

Not only Jia Cong's courtyard, but the entire inner courtyard of the East Mansion was disturbed by the constant movement of maids and servants. As the head of the East Mansion, Jia Cong went to court and government office before dawn every day, and the daily routine of the entire mansion followed his rhythm.

The old women guarding the inner courtyard got up early to sweep the paths, open the inner courtyard gates, and wait for Jia Cong to go out to court.

The steward of the outer courtyard also got up early to assign servants and maids to unlock all the entrances and exits of the outer courtyard and open the east corner gate leading out of the mansion.

After the grooms fed the horses and prepared the carriage, Jiang Liu got up early to eat and then dozed off on the carriage shaft, waiting for Jia Cong to ride to court.

Meanwhile, the Rongguo West Mansion, which was right next door, remained peaceful, with the huge mansion still asleep, making the contrast between the two quite obvious.

Just as Jia Cong sat down to eat a few bites of breakfast, he saw Musk Moon carrying a folded account book and quickly enter the courtyard.

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Why did you come so early? Did Second Sister have something to do so early in the morning?"

Musk Moon smiled and said, "Miss said that there are many affairs in the manor at the end of the year, and there are some things that need to be reviewed by the Third Master. However, the Third Master usually leaves early and returns late."

So I was told to come over as soon as possible. The young lady has already taken care of the trivial matters, but there are a few things that the Third Master will be concerned about, and he needs to take a look and make a decision.

The matters are not numerous, and will not interfere with Third Master's court session; they will be finished in a short time.

Musk Moon took the account book from her hand and said, "In a few days it will be the middle of the twelfth lunar month. Before the fifteenth of next year, the mansion should estimate the number of guests and the etiquette to be observed."

The accounts for the expenses of procuring banquets, opera troupes, meat and vegetable purchases, lanterns and candles, and ancestral offerings have all been prepared.

The expenses incurred by the two prefectures have been detailed, and the total amount of silver spent during the holidays has also been calculated. Please review this, Third Master, and decide whether any increases or decreases are necessary.

One of the things that Third Master needs to consider is the list of guests for the grand banquet during the New Year.

Following last year's customary allowance and taking into account the number of colleagues visiting Third Master this year, the young lady added two more tables of people, asking Third Master to consider it.

The young lady said that since Third Master has just entered the Hanlin Academy, are there any new guests who need to be entertained? She asked Third Master to fill in the guest list, and we will do it according to the rules.

In addition, all the curtains, door curtains, cushions, pillows, charcoal, incense, bedding, and living quarters of the young ladies must be replaced with new ones to welcome the new year.

For the New Year, ladies need to seek good fortune, so they have already made plans to cut new clothes, buy rouge and face powder, palace flower headdresses, and other accessories.

The girl said that Third Master dotes on his sisters the most, and asked him to see what else they needed to buy…

……

Musk Moon was quick-witted and eloquent. She spoke of five or six things in one breath, pointing out the key points of each one, all of which required Jia Cong to consider and make a decision.

There seemed to be a lot of things to discuss, but she had clearly sorted them out carefully, explaining them logically and clearly without finding them tedious at all.

Musk Moon reported the matter fluently, and Jia Cong, quick-witted, answered questions and made decisions smoothly and quickly.

The two were meeting for the first time, yet they seemed to have a long-standing tacit understanding, while Ping'er, Wu'er, Qingwen, and others listened intently.

After the two finished talking, Jia Cong said, "Second Sister has already taken great care in preparing New Year's items for all the sisters, so I don't need to say anything more."

Just go back and tell your second sister to prepare an extra portion according to the sisters' portions, plus an additional portion for a first-class maid.

Before the New Year, I had someone send them into the palace to my elder sister and Baoqin. They have been in the palace for many years and have endured many hardships, so it would be a shame to neglect them during the New Year and other holidays.

Although the old lady and the second wife would also prepare things, this one came from our East Mansion; it's a token of our appreciation from my sisters and me.

After finishing her story, Musk Moon bowed to Jia Cong and left the courtyard.

Wu'er watched her retreating figure and laughed, "I've long heard that Musk Moon is exceptionally shrewd and capable, and she truly lives up to her reputation. That little mouth of hers is really sharp."

The second wife actually dared to drive away such a person; I wonder what the second wife was thinking. It just gave the second daughter a valuable ally.

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Musk Moon is capable of managing things. It's a waste to have her as a maid in Bao Yu's room."

She arrived at the perfect time; although she was driven away by the second wife, she managed to extricate herself cleanly, avoiding many complications later on.

By the end of next spring, the strange things happening to the second wife's family will probably be even more bizarre than what happened to Musk Moon. I hope I'm just guessing..."

Although Wu'er was somewhat confused, she didn't press for details.

In short, she knew in her heart that apart from the second master and the third daughter, the third master probably wouldn't look favorably upon anyone else in the second branch of the family.

Putting aside other matters, how many ridiculous things has Bao Er Ye done in the past six months? His second wife often visits the West Mansion, but she never seems to discipline or dissuade him.

Ping'er, who was standing nearby, was very perceptive. When she heard Jia Cong say that the end of spring next year was the day Baoyu would get married.

Just a few days ago, when the Xia family's daughter delivered the December Festival gifts, her manners and words were very thoughtful, showing that she was a shrewd woman.

As the saying goes, "A virtuous wife makes a family prosperous." If the second wife has such a daughter-in-law, things at home should go more smoothly.

Why does Second Master feel that the second branch of the family might have some issues? I wonder what he means by that.
However, Ping'er and Wu'er are similar in nature, and they only care about the affairs of the eldest son's family.

The second wife's family lived in a separate house from them, and now that they had moved out of the West Mansion and were living alone, they were like other families.

The trivial matters of the second wife were not worth worrying about, so naturally no one asked about them.

He said, "Third Master, I've heard Second Madam mention the eldest daughter. By the middle of next year, she will have completed ten years of service in the palace."

Jia Cong said, "That's right. According to the rules of the Great Zhou Palace, a female official who has been in the palace for ten years is still a pure woman and should be sent home. Next year will be a good day for you, eldest sister."

……

After having breakfast, Jia Cong removed his usual morning clothes and had Qingwen help him change into his official robes. Before dawn, he drove to the Meridian Gate.

When the cannon sounded at Chenshi (7-9 AM) in the palace, the palace gates opened with a rumble, and Jia Cong followed the flow of officials to the Fengtian Hall to attend court.

In the main hall, Emperor Jia Zhao sat on a gilded dragon throne, and officials from various departments, as was customary, stepped forward to report on state affairs.

The matters reported by the Six Ministries were mostly routine administrative affairs. Reporting them to the emperor in court not only informed the emperor but also informed the relevant ministries so that they could coordinate their handling of the matter.

Each department also has a few unexpected special matters that require the emperor to express his opinion and issue an edict, and the emperor and his ministers to exchange views and make decisions in the court.

Having attended court for a long time, Jia Cong gradually gained a deeper understanding of the government's affairs. He would listen to the general affairs of various departments and then forget about them, except for a few matters that caught his attention.

The Ministry of Revenue reported that during the autumn and winter of this year, the collection of salt taxes in Suzhou, Yangzhou and Huzhou was difficult, and salt smugglers were rampant in the Huaihe River region, vying for and eroding the country's tax revenue.

Lin Ruhai, a salt transport official from Lianghuai, reported multiple times that the notorious salt tycoon Huang Yougong was rampaging in Jiangnan, and the authorities were powerless to apprehend him, allowing him to evade justice and become a major threat to the salt administration in Jiangnan.

The Censor-in-Chief of Yangzhou Circuit of the Censorate submitted a memorial impeaching Zhao Kaiwu, the Commander of Yangzhou Garrison, for his repeated successes in suppressing the salt smuggler Huang Yougong, but each time he suffered heavy losses and returned empty-handed.

He served as the commander of Yangzhou Guard for many years, but accomplished nothing in guarding and commanding the troops. He was mediocre and derelict in his duties, and the court should remove him from office.

In addition to reporting on salt tax matters, the Ministry of Revenue is also working to gather disaster relief supplies as the winter has begun, with frequent cold disasters in Hebei, Shanxi and other places, resulting in the deaths of countless people, horses and livestock.

However, due to the presence of troops by the remnant Mongol Anda Khan in Datong, Xuanfu and other places, the nine border towns were in the process of preparing for war, and large quantities of grain and fodder were transported to various towns day and night for storage.

The large-scale mobilization of military rations to the nine border regions has led to a growing shortage of disaster relief food supplies in Hebei, Shanxi, and other areas.

The Vice Minister of Revenue who submitted the memorial looked distressed and worried.

Although Emperor Jiazhao was a wise and capable ruler, even a skilled cook cannot cook without rice. This year, there have been frequent disasters in various places, making it an unfavorable year to begin with.

Even if he were a king who possessed all the wealth of the world, he could not conjure up grain out of thin air. He could only have the Ministry of Revenue make careful calculations and make various adjustments to overcome the difficulties.

An imperial edict was issued to the Ministry of War to strictly control the collection and transportation of military rations in order to prevent looting and other disturbances by disaster victims.

He also ordered the Five Military Commissions to allocate military provisions reasonably and distribute them to major border towns, eliminating extravagance and waste.

After listening to this series of court reports, Jia Cong felt a growing sense of unease. The Great Zhou Dynasty appeared prosperous and powerful, but it harbored hidden internal and external threats that could no longer be ignored...

When Minister of War Gu Yankui stepped forward to report, the two states' plans for peace negotiations with the remnants of the Great Zhou and the Mongols were completely at odds, resulting in a stalemate.

Emperor Jiazhao's face was gloomy. He issued an edict to the Ministry of War that they should not back down even a step, and ordered 3,500 troops in the western suburbs of the city to be on high alert to prevent any unusual movements by the Mongol delegation.

The morning court session that day was rather somber. A series of court discussions and dialogues lasted for more than an hour before finally ending. No decisive strategies were devised, only prudent methods were offered.

When the morning court session ended, the officials lined up and left the Fengtian Hall, many of them still wearing solemn expressions.

Jia Cong followed the crowd leaving the court and exited the palace through the Meridian Gate.

Since there were no meetings scheduled at the meeting today, he planned to go to the firearms workshop outside the city to inspect the progress of the breech-loading gun manufacturing in the twelfth lunar month.

Just as he was about to board the carriage, he saw a man running towards them from a distance. He was dressed in Han Chinese attire and had a burly build. Jia Cong recognized him as one of Noyan's attendants. (End of Chapter)