Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Shenjing, Huitongguan.

After Noyan Taiji finished writing the record, he discussed and settled a few questions with Jia Cong, and then copied it again.

Write another appendix letter, review both documents from beginning to end, then carefully fold them, put them into a special soft leather bag, seal it with wax clay and stamp it.

He then had his maid Xiaoxia summon Huergan and said, "Select capable people to deliver this secret letter to Father Khan as soon as possible and bring back a reply."

This matter is extremely urgent, concerning the future and safety of the Ordos tribe; there can be no mistakes!

Seeing that Hu Ergan had accepted the order and left the main room, Noyan Taiji straightened up, walked up to Jia Cong, and bowed respectfully.

He said, "Brother Cong spoke to the emperor on behalf of the Ordos tribe, and an agreement was reached, which benefited thousands of people in the Hetao region."

"Brother Cong's actions are of immeasurable merit, and the Ordos tribe will surely remember them. Nuoyan will also keep this kindness in mind and will repay it in the future."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "Noyan, you are too kind. Now the Great Zhou and the Mongols are at odds. Once war breaks out, the national strength will be exhausted and the people will suffer. Regardless of victory or defeat, it will be a disastrous outcome."

We've become close friends, riding and hunting together, drinking and laughing – how delightful! For the sake of our friendship today, neither of us wants to face each other as enemies in the future.

Once this matter is accomplished, the Great Zhou and the Ordos tribe will live in harmony, recuperate and thrive, each benefiting the people, and bringing good fortune to the countless commoners of the north. Why not do it? I dare not speak of my gratitude.”

Noyan Taiji sat down and poured Jia Cong a full teacup, saying, "A hundred years ago, the Great Zhou Emperor was a formidable military force. In a ten-year war, he swept across the Central Plains, forcing the Mongols to retreat to the desert."

The outcome of the victory or defeat was not only due to the military strength of the Great Zhou Emperor, but also to the will of the people of the Central Plains—this was the will of Heaven.

Throughout history, the might of kings and the sharpness of their weapons have been able to dominate, but not for long. The Golden Family has declined, and they should return to where they came from; the grasslands are their true home.

The general trend of the world cannot be defied; those who try to stop it will surely fail.

But people are often blinded by ambition, always feeling they have received too little; few understand this truth…

……

Huitongguan, Tumanbuguanyi.

At the entrance of the Ordos Inn, guards stood watch with swords at their sides, and the area around the inn was heavily guarded.

This sudden, unusual atmosphere, even though it occurred silently, still attracted the attention of those who were interested.

In the guesthouse of the Tuman tribe, Aletang was browsing a map. It was a map of the nine border regions of the north, which detailed the towns of the nine border regions of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

In the hinterland behind the towns of Datong and Xuanfu, there are several place names marked and connected by lines.

The line runs northwards, pointing directly to a certain place in the Nine Garrisons, while its southeastern outline vaguely points towards the capital...

Just as he was engrossed in analyzing the map, a trusted attendant entered the room.

He said, "Lord Altan, as you instructed, I am closely monitoring the movements of the Ordos tribe."

Noyan Taiji had close ties with the newly appointed peace clerk, Jia Cong. He often invited Jia Cong to his residence for drinks and even invited him to go hunting outside the city.

This afternoon, Jia Cong entered the Huitong Hall and went directly to the residence of Noyan Taiji.

Before long, the Ordos military post station was under heavy guard. Although it appeared calm on the surface, it was highly suspicious.

Upon hearing this, Aletang frowned slightly, his eyes flickering, and said, "This Jia Cong is not only the peace treaty clerk, but also the youngest nobleman in the Great Zhou Dynasty."

This man was a born general; he was able to lead his army to wipe out the Jurchens when he was just over ten years old. He was a well-known rising star of the Great Zhou Dynasty and should not be underestimated.

This Noyan is quite discerning; instead of choosing to associate with important officials of the Great Zhou court, he specifically chooses to associate with such a person, which seems to suggest he has ulterior motives.

The trusted attendant said, "My lord, the Khan of the Ordos tribe, Jirang, is not entirely subservient to our Tuman tribe."

"I fear that sending Noyan Taiji to this mission is for ulterior motives. His close ties with officials of the Great Zhou, coupled with his suspicious behavior, warrant our caution."

……

Aletang smiled coldly: "On the grasslands, the strong are respected. Although the Ordos tribe is stronger than the Yongxielun tribe, it is far weaker than the Tuman tribe."

There's a Chinese proverb: "Strength can overcome any technique." Before overwhelming military power, a few underhanded methods are insignificant.

Now that the Great Khan has convened a meeting of all the tribes and gathered their troops, the 20,000 elite soldiers of the Ordos tribe are now caught up in the Great Khan's 50,000 right-wing troops and have no choice in their own destiny.

Jirang Khan was once a hero of the grasslands, but he was old. His two sons were originally capable, but both died young.

The Ordos tribe lacked successors, and even if Jirang Khan remained ambitious, he was no match for the Great Khan.

Although Noyan is quite intelligent, he is young and inexperienced, and cannot cause any major trouble.

Your daily task is to keep a close eye on his movements. I asked you to keep an eye on news from the north; has Sun Dali made any moves?

The attendant said, "I have already sent word to the camp outside the northern city that they are sending out two scout teams every day to patrol within sixty li to the north."

As soon as a messenger horse travels south, they will immediately discover it and rush into the city to report to their lord.

Aletang said in a deep voice, "This is the real deal. Once this is accomplished, under the circumstances, the Ordos tribe's little tricks will be insignificant..."

……

The Earl's Mansion, the small courtyard on the south slope.

Miaoyu's room was clean and simple, with an ebony cloud bed and elegant plain curtains.

On the dressing table was an exquisite mercury mirror, and in the mirror case was a bottle of jasmine hair oil and a jade comb. These were Miaoyu's only dressing items.

Next to the dressing mirror were several rouge and powder boxes, exquisitely shaped, which were the only cosmetics in the room, but were used by Zhi Shao when she stayed there.

Zhi Shao was helping Miao Yu pack her clothes and belongings, because her master and senior sister were about to move back to the Muni Temple.

She saw a set of clothes neatly folded beside Miaoyu's pillow.

It was the undergarment I made for Third Master. I had finished half of it that day, but since I had other needles and thread on hand, I asked my senior sister to help me finish the other half.

She took the small outfit, her slender fingers tracing the delicate stitches, a smile appearing on her pretty face.

At this moment, Miaoyu had just finished her homework in the front hall and stepped into the room when she saw Zhishao fiddling with the set of clothes. Her pretty face turned red.

Zhi Shao looked up and saw her return, and smiled, "Senior sister, you've finished your homework? I'm helping you pack your things."

Miaoyu glanced at the clothes in her hand, and an indescribable feeling welled up in her heart. In fact, that set of clothes did not take too much effort.

With Miaoyu's needlework skills, she could have finished it quickly, but she kept stopping and starting, which delayed her work for a long time.

Every time I pick up a needle and thread, my mind becomes completely absorbed in it, unable to extricate myself from this state, no matter how many mantras I recite before the Buddha, I cannot escape it even slightly.

This was the only intimate connection between her and Jia Cong, and subconsciously she didn't want it to end so soon.

But she was about to leave the Earl's mansion, and this dress still needed to be finished...

He said, "Because I've been too busy, Yu Zhang's outfit hasn't been finished yet."

I had some free time this morning, so I did the last few stitches and casually placed them next to my pillow, forgetting to put them away.

Her words contained a hint of justification, and even she herself was unsure whether she was explaining to her junior sister or trying to deceive and convince herself.

……

Zhi Shao seemed oblivious to anything amiss and laughed, "Senior Sister's needlework is truly excellent, almost on par with Qing Wen's skills."

Seeing that Zhi Shao was unaware, Miao Yu felt a sense of relief, but also a pang of pain and guilt.

She changed the subject, saying, "It's nothing. My mother is from Suzhou, and I grew up in Suzhou."

Suzhou embroidery is renowned in the Jiangnan region, and every household in the city can embroider.

My maternal clan also produced a master embroiderer named Hui Niang, who was my great-aunt.

Although she died at the young age of eighteen, her embroidery skills were widely praised, and the exquisite embroidery she left behind is known as Hui embroidery, which is now extremely rare and valuable.

My mother came from a family with a long tradition of embroidery and was also very skilled at it. It's just that I was born with a bad fate and didn't have the fortune to learn my mother's skills.

I learned needlework from an old servant girl in the family. She used to be my mother's maid and learned the craft from her, but she passed away five years later.

Zhi Shao rarely heard Miao Yu talk about her family affairs, but when she suddenly heard her talking about her mother's clan, she listened with great interest.

Miaoyu, whose mind was in turmoil, had let her guard down and casually mentioned things about her family. When she came to her senses, she stopped talking.

He said self-deprecatingly, "It's all your fault. Why bring up these old stories? They're boring to listen to."

Just treat this as idle gossip and let it pass; don't mention it to outsiders, it's irrelevant anyway.

Zhi Shao smiled and said, "I understand what you mean, Senior Sister. It's just that Senior Sister comes from a family with a long history of craftsmanship. It would be a waste not to use such good skills. Why don't you help me next time?"

Miaoyu laughed and said, "I won't listen to your coaxing this time. I only did it because it happened by chance. Let it go in the past."

Her pretty face flushed slightly as she said, "Junior sister, you can give the clothes to Yuzhang, but you mustn't say that I made them. Just say it's your skill." Zhi Shao couldn't help but chuckle and said, "Senior sister, it's just half a garment with some needlework. What's there to be ashamed of? Third Master isn't an outsider."

Miaoyu became increasingly embarrassed and said, "I said I won't say it, otherwise I'll get angry."

Zhi Shao suppressed a laugh and said, "You are the senior sister, and elders should be respected. If you don't want to say it, I won't. It would be against the rules of our sect."

"What do you mean by respecting elders? Am I that old?"

"Senior sister is so beautiful, who would dare say you're old? How about I become the senior sister and let me look older, okay..."

After chatting and laughing for a while, Miaoyu opened the drawer of her dressing table, took out a wooden box, and handed it to Zhishao.

He said, "This thing is useless to me; it's perfect for you. You'll definitely like it when you wear the jade badge."

When Zhi Shao opened it, she found a blue palace flower inside, exquisite, delicate, lifelike, and full of fragrance.

That day, Xiuju received Yingchun's order to send two palace flowers to Zhishao. Zhishao wore the pink one and left the blue one for Miaoyu.

Under Zhi Shao's coaxing, Miao Yu wore it once in the room, but quickly took it off. Because of Buddhist precepts, she never touched it again.

Only when I'm alone in my room do I take it out to look at it for a short while. Every time I think of how my junior sister encouraged me to adorn myself with flowers in front of the mirror, my heart can't help but flutter...

Zhi Shao took the wooden box containing the palace flowers, her voice tinged with regret, and said, "These palace flowers look so beautiful on Senior Sister, it's such a pity."

Third Master said that the fifteenth day was a day off, and he would personally escort Master and Senior Sister back to the Muni Monastery for resettlement..."

Miaoyu smiled, a sense of loss welling up inside her, and said, "Alright, but I'll have to trouble Yuzhang to make the trip."

……

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

The atmosphere was harmonious, with people dressed in fine clothes, adorned with precious hairpins, and surrounded by the fragrance of incense. Laughter and conversation could be heard from time to time.

The sun was shining brightly at noon today, and the weather had warmed up a bit, so Yingchun took her sisters out for a walk.

Because the days are short in winter, Grandmother Jia, fearing that her sleep at night would be disturbed, never took a nap. Instead, she invited her granddaughters to come to the hall to talk.

After finishing her chores for half a day, Wang Xifeng took her eldest daughter out for a stroll, and they quickly made their way to Rongqing Hall.

Seeing the lively atmosphere in the hall today, Grandmother Jia asked Emerald to call Baoyu over to speak.

Baoyu had previously embarrassed himself in front of his sisters, and felt ashamed. He felt that Heaven was playing tricks on him, always making his innocence tarnished and his flawless character marred.

However, when Grandmother Jia sent someone to summon him, and he heard that his sisters were all in Rongqing Hall, he could not resist his longing and followed Emerald eagerly over.

Now, all the sisters in the family have changed their feelings. The second sister and Lin sister do their own thing and don't talk to him. Bao sister also sits far away with a detached expression.

Although he prided himself on being an exceptionally pure and upright person, and aloof from the common crowd, the world was in turmoil and few people appreciated him, so he couldn't help but feel a sense of inadequacy.

Fortunately, although Shi Xiangyun also hated evil, she was a person without grudges. Even if she felt unhappy or disgusted, she would forget about it after a few days.

She and Baoyu argued fiercely, and she often verbally clashed with Jia Cong, which made her quite unhappy.

After all, they had all grown up under the care of Grandmother Jia. When Baoyu talked to her, she would still chat casually, which comforted Baoyu.

Although Tan Chun had a deep rift with Lady Wang, Bao Yu was her elder brother from the same father, and he spoke warmly to her, so she naturally responded to his questions.

Therefore, although the sisters in the hall had different feelings for each other, they did not show it on the surface. They still appeared to be amicable and harmonious, which pleased Grandmother Jia.

…………

Grandmother Jia held the eldest daughter in her arms and teased her, saying, "Feng'er, the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month is just around the corner. The end of the year is approaching, so we should have some fun and bring in some joy."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "Does this matter need the old matriarch's instructions? This is the same approach every year. I've already thought it through."

Yesterday, Lin Zhixiao invited a top-notch opera troupe to perform on the fifteenth of the month at the Grand Hall stage. Everyone gathered to listen to the opera, drink, and have a good time.

Grandmother Jia agreed repeatedly, while Yuanyang, standing to the side, said with a smile, "I remember that on the fifteenth, Third Master was also on leave, and the family was quite complete."

Yingchun smiled and said, "Sister Yuanyang is right, Brother Cong did indeed take a break on his fifteenth day."

Wang Xifeng's eyes flickered, and she smiled, "Sister Yuanyang is quite thoughtful. I'm so clueless; I can never accurately predict when Third Brother will have a day off."

Yuanyang blushed and quickly said, "Last time, when Third Master paid his respects to the Old Madam, it was also a day off, and that day was the ninth of the month."

The yamen (government office) has a five-day weekend, so it's possible to calculate that Third Master's weekend ends on the fifteenth.

Seeing Yuanyang's expression, Wang Xifeng secretly found it amusing. Although Yuanyang was quick-witted and capable, and one of the best among the maids, she was still young and inexperienced.

He felt guilty after being teased by himself, and his face turned as red as a monkey's bottom.

Ping'er herself has had a tough time; she'll be facing countless challenges in the future...

However, mindful of Jia Mu's feelings, Wang Xifeng knew when to stop and said with a smile, "I see, Sister Yuanyang is so thoughtful."

……

Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "That's perfect timing. Cong-ge'er is always busy and never home during the day. It's just right to invite him to join in the fun that day."

Daiyu smiled and said, "Grandma, what a coincidence! That day, Third Brother was very busy and probably didn't come home for most of the day."

The Muni Temple outside the city has been renovated. On the fifteenth, Abbess Xiushan and Miss Miaoyu will be moving back, and Third Brother and Zhishao will escort them back to their new homes.

Grandmother Jia said, "That's a pity. Master Xiushan is a highly accomplished person. The more we drink tea with her, the more we admire her."

She is Zhi Shao's teacher, and by all accounts, an elder of Cong Ge'er. It's only proper etiquette to pay her a visit.

When Baoyu heard everyone talking about Miaoyu, he recalled the day he first met her at Rongqing Hall. She was elegant and dignified, aloof and otherworldly, and beautiful as a fairy, like Guanyin in a painting.

A wave of tenderness washed over her. However, after their first meeting, the old nun, who loved to talk about marriage, was invited twice by the old lady to Rongqing Hall for tea and conversation.

Baoyu would rush over every time he heard the news, but he would only find the old nun there.

The exquisitely beautiful Miaoyu vanished without a trace, never to be seen again in the West Mansion, leaving Baoyu deeply saddened and disappointed.

Now that I hear she's leaving the East Mansion, Jia Cong doesn't even try to stop her. He's truly a corrupt and incompetent official, completely ignorant of the ways of the world.

He even said he would escort her back to the Muni Monastery. For such a muddled and boring person to escort her is truly an insult to such a wonderful girl.

It would be truly endlessly beautiful if only someone as innocent as myself could deliver it...

Baoyu was lost in thought and gradually began to show signs of dazedness. His round face glowed, his eyes became glazed, and he appeared to be terminally ill.

I vaguely heard Grandmother Jia say, "A Buddhist nun like Master Xiushan is a rare find. I had hoped to listen to her chant sutras and pray for spiritual peace."

Now that she has returned to the nunnery, she no longer has this blessing, which is truly a pity.

Yingchun smiled and said, "Brother Cong has already left the small courtyard on the south slope of the East Mansion empty. Whenever the master and disciple have free time, they will be invited to stay."

The old lady need not worry about this matter; if she wishes to hear Master Xiushan chant sutras, there will likely be other opportunities in the future.

Upon hearing this, Baoyu felt as if he had been struck a heavy blow. It was bad enough that Jia Conglu was a lewd and immoral man, but he was also so lustful.

He not only confined Miaoyu to the East Mansion, preventing her from entering the West Mansion, but also kept him from ever seeing her again—what a cruel thing to do.

He even specially reserved a courtyard in the East Mansion to lure this beautiful woman to live there, so that he could monopolize and defile her for a long time. He is truly shameless...

Just as Baoyu was filled with grief and indignation, he heard Grandmother Jia laugh and say, "This is truly wonderful. Having a highly virtuous monk frequently visiting is a blessing for our family."

"Next year is going to be a good year, with good things happening one after another. Not only will Baoyu get married and start a family, but he will also soon have a child. Caixia's belly is already swollen..."

Upon hearing this, Baoyu was struck dumb, his face turned deathly pale, and he felt utterly ashamed. He couldn't help but look at Lin Daiyu.

Seeing that Daiyu and Baochai were chatting quietly with smiles on their faces, they paid no attention to the old lady's words.

It's probably because Lin Daiyu and Jia Baoyu heard so much about marriage and having children that they started to see themselves as worthless and had forgotten their own beauty, charm, and extraordinary qualities.

This damned, worldly, dirty business of getting married and having children is utterly destructive, making every woman in the world despise you.

One can only admire the daughter's charm from afar in Rongqing Hall, longing for her but unable to reach her, as if she were so close yet so far away. How can one not feel heartbroken and devastated?

……

Grandmother Jia then smiled and said, "There will be another happy event next year. The eldest maid will have completed her ten-year term and will then leave the palace to return home."

However, I have calculated the time, and by the time she reaches the deadline, it will be almost the middle of next year, which will be just in time for Baoyu's wedding, which is a bit of a pity.

Feng, I'm getting old now and I don't know how many more years I have left. My eldest daughter has returned home after ten years away, and I want her to stay in the West Mansion to keep me company.

Now that she's over twenty, she won't be able to stay with me for many more years. Once she finds her place and gets married, my last wish will be fulfilled.
You should discuss this matter with Cong-ge'er and see what the proper course of action is."

Upon hearing this, Baoyu's eyes lit up, all his sorrow vanished, as if a ray of light had pierced through a gloomy sky... (End of Chapter)