Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Sister Feng's Courtyard.

The older girl was babbling incoherently, waving her little hands haphazardly.

Ping'er saw the girl and clapped her hands at the eldest sister. The little girl instinctively rushed into her arms.

Ping'er hugged her tightly and strolled around the room with affection, saying, "Grandma's words make sense, but our family's situation is different."

The second master was the old lady's most beloved son, while the third master was ordered to inherit the Rongguo title. When the second master was in a hurry to move out of Rongxi Hall, the third master was also grateful.

However, the second branch of the family moved into the East Courtyard, and the others would not feel at ease. Although this was an imperial decree and patriarchal law, the old lady must have been unwilling.

Although Grandma's plans are perfectly legitimate, implementing them properly will inevitably cause quite a stir, and the Second Madam will certainly be there to stir up trouble.

Wang Xifeng said, "What you said makes sense, but the matter must be done."

The Cong brothers had only inherited the Rongguo title for a short time, and these minor details were not yet of great concern to others.

But as time goes by, people will inevitably start gossiping.

The Eight Houses of Shenjing, the Twelve Houses of Jinling, those old relatives and friends who frequently visited, how many of them were quite troublesome.

It would be a huge joke to allow a concubine who had moved to another household to monopolize the monthly allowance of the main wife for so long.

Outsiders who know the situation say our eldest son's family is kind and compassionate; those who don't just think I, the housekeeper, am merely a figurehead.

They're laughing at me for being a useless coward and an idiot, but I won't take that lying down.

However, these matters cannot be dealt with all at once. Trying to kill someone with one blow will only lead to failure if you are too hasty.

We can't let the second wife get desperate and bite us like a rabbit. She goes to Rongqing Hall every day to cause trouble. Although she won't hurt us, she'll still give us a headache.

People can talk all they want. If Brother Cong, a Hanlin scholar, gets into trouble because of this and ruins his reputation, it would be a huge loss.

Our wealth and status as women depend on him for the rest of our lives, so we have to be careful with this.

I heard that the old lady has already spoken up: Baoyu will move back to the East Courtyard after his marriage, but Caixia will have to stay in the West Mansion to raise the children.

I don't know if it was the second wife who instigated it, but it sounds really disgusting. I'm afraid there will be more of these kinds of things in the future.

If we don't have some ruthless methods, others will become even less wary, thinking that we, the eldest son's family, are easy to fool, and who knows what other trouble they might cause.

I've thought it through. This matter needs to be handled slowly first, then urgently, starting with small things and gradually escalating. We need to take it one step at a time, allowing people time to catch their breath.

First, try to cut minor items. Once everyone understands the prevailing winds and gets used to it, the matter will be settled.

……

Although Ping'er didn't have Wang Xifeng's cunning, she was still a clever and intelligent person, and she quickly understood her thoughts after hearing these words.

He smiled and said, "Grandma is so thoughtful. It's good that Third Master let Grandma manage the West Mansion, which saves him so much trouble and worry."

Wang Xifeng laughed and said, "You two shouldn't just do manual labor every day. You should also use your brains more. The second young lady will eventually get married."

The affairs of these two households are far too complex. Even if Cong and his brother marry their principal wives, they cannot be managed by one person alone. You will inevitably need to help with their affairs.”

While listening to Wang Xifeng's words, Wu'er was thinking about what the Second Mistress meant by "start slowly and then urgently, start small and then big." She wondered what "slow" meant and what "small" meant.
Wang Xifeng said, "I will go to Rongqing Hall whenever I have free time these days, and first bring up the topic with the old lady, and whisper in her ear beforehand."

Rongqing Hall is a leaky sieve, perfect for spreading rumors.

Knowing that the first wife was going to humiliate her, the second wife would surely be wary and dare not cause trouble.

I reckon that what she cares about most is her dignity as the head of the household, and she might even prioritize the important things over the trivial.

Once this issue is resolved, things will be easier to handle gradually. A gentle, patient approach will make it harder for others to find fault, and the old lady won't get angry or upset.

……

The Earl's Mansion, Jia Cong's Courtyard.

As the sun set, Jia Cong returned to his residence from the firearms workshop outside the city. After the five hundred breech-loading guns were inspected and stored, the workshop did not stop its construction progress.

In the past two weeks, dozens more breech-loading guns have been manufactured, and both manufacturing efficiency and accuracy have been significantly improved compared to the past.

With the firearms workshop proceeding smoothly, Jia Cong devoted the rest of his energy to the meeting hall, participating in the daily peace talks between the Great Zhou and the Mongol remnants as usual.

They maintained communication with Noyan Taiji at other times, but they still had not received a reply to the letters Noyan Taiji sent to the grasslands.

Judging from the time the letter was sent, and considering the normal fast horse delivery route, the Khan of the Ordos tribe must have already received the letter.

However, the expected reply time was not as quick as expected. After several more days, when no reply was received, the matter became uncertain and unclear.

Not only Jia Cong had such concerns, but Nuoyan seemed even more uneasy, but for now they could only wait.

Jia Cong entered the courtyard and went straight into the study, where he saw Lingguan dusting the bookshelves with a duster.

Although the young girl is only a teenager, she has already blossomed into a graceful and slender figure, as delicate as a willow branch. When she walks, her steps are light and her waist is nimble.

Because Lingguan was not a maid in the household, and unlike ordinary maids, she was dressed in red clothes and green jackets.

She wore a satin jacket with a green chrysanthemum pattern on the front, and underneath she wore a light blue stand-up collar jacket with a side opening. She tied a lotus-root pink horse-face skirt around her slender waist.

On her crystal-clear, soft white earlobes, she wore gold filigree phoenix tail earrings inlaid with pearls, which shone with exquisite and bright light.

When she saw Jia Cong enter the room, she smiled and said, "Third Master is back. Take a rest and have some tea. I just brewed it, based on the time you'll be leaving the office."

Jia Cong took the teacup handed to him, drank from it, then flicked her earring and said with a smile, "These earrings look really good on you, but I don't see you wearing them often."

Lingguan smiled, her beauty radiant, and said, "That's because Third Master has good taste and knows how to buy things. They all said it looked good."

These earrings were Lingguan's favorite possessions. When she first arrived in Jinling with Jia Cong, Jia Cong bought them for her from Ziyun Pavilion.

She usually keeps her earrings carefully and only takes them out to wear occasionally.

When Jia Cong praised her beauty, she smiled and turned her head to let him see her more clearly, which added to her innocent and charming appearance.

As the two were chatting and laughing, Jia Cong asked, "Why are you the only one in the study? I haven't seen Yinglian."

Lingguan said, "After noon, Sister Yinglian suddenly complained of a stomachache and hid in the room to lie down."

She told me to guard the study first, so that when Third Master returned, someone would be at his beck and call.

"Qingwen and I both went to see her, and she said she's fine and just needs to rest. Third Master, why don't you go check on her?"

Jia Cong knew that Yinglian had always been healthy and never got sick all year round, so he was somewhat worried about why she suddenly felt unwell.

……

He left the study, walked along the corridor to the second room in the east wing, pushed open the door and went in. The room was warm from the burning incense burner.

Yinglian leaned against the bed, half-wrapped in a quilt, half-asleep.

Upon seeing Jia Cong approach, he smiled and said, "Young Master, what brings you here?"

Jia Cong said, "Lingguan said you're not feeling well. You rarely get sick. What's wrong? I'll have them go and get a doctor to take a look."

Yinglian blushed and said, "This doesn't require a doctor. It's just a stomachache. I'll be fine after a day of rest."

Jia Cong reached out and touched her forehead, saying, "Why does your stomach hurt in this cold weather? Have you caught a cold? If you have a fever, it's no joke."

Fortunately, her forehead was smooth and warm to the touch, and Jia Cong breathed a sigh of relief.

Yinglian blushed and said, "It's a common problem, though it's uncomfortable, but I never get a fever."

Jia Cong seemed to realize something and asked, "Why have I never seen you like this before?"

Yinglian blushed and said softly, "I'd rather hide from everyone than let the young master know about my stomachache."

Jia Cong said, "When did it start? If the pain is severe, we should have a doctor examine you."

Although Yinglian was naturally shy, she and Jia Cong had always been close, so she didn't find it too strange that Jia Cong asked about these private matters.

Because she grew up with kidnappers and had no women to guide her, she was much more naive than girls her age.

He only spent about a month with his mother, Lady Feng, before entering the Jia family. Although he received some guidance on his upbringing, it was still somewhat lacking.

Blushing, she said, "It starts after summer. I don't need to see a doctor. I just need to lie there for a while each time."

Jia Cong laughed and said, "No wonder the sisters all have nannies around them. Whether or not they see a doctor is up to me. Actually, it's a good thing. The little girl is growing up."

Yinglian was somewhat unconvinced and said with a blush, "Young master, what are you saying? I'm not just growing up now; I'm already a grown woman."

Jia Cong found it amusing and changed the subject, saying, "Didn't you have a stomachache? Why aren't you lying down? Why are you sitting there so stiffly?"

Yinglian frowned and said, "It hurts even when I'm lying down. It's better to be crooked like this."

Jia Cong was teasing Yinglian and had placed two gauze pillows behind her back.

Lingguan suddenly entered the room and said, "Third Master, a message came from the outer courtyard. Your servant Jiang Liu has something to report and is waiting in the side hall of the outer courtyard." Jia Cong's heart skipped a beat. A few days ago, he had Jiang Liu investigate the old man who sang songs, so he must have found him by now.

He asked Lingguan to boil a bowl of sugar water to warm Yinglian's stomach and soothe her. He then hurriedly left the inner courtyard.

……

The Earl's Mansion, outer courtyard side hall.

When Jia Cong arrived, he saw Jiang Liu waiting there, looking somewhat travel-worn.

He said, "Third Master, the old man who sang the song has been found. His daughter was forced into a dangerous situation by Qin Yong and drowned. The old man originally wanted to report it to the authorities."

Qin Yong instigated thugs to beat him severely, leaving him covered in bruises, and then threatened and blackmailed him by claiming that he came from a wealthy family.

The old man was from out of town and didn't have much experience. In order to save his life, he fled the capital overnight.

However, his daughter was forced to her death, so he was not reconciled and settled in Tongxian, fifty miles away.

A few days ago, I went to the Liuyang River boat and inquired about the old man's whereabouts from various sources. It took a lot of effort to finally find out where he was.

The day before yesterday, I went to Tongxian County to find him. After some persuasion, I gained his trust, and he will report Qin Yong to the authorities.

I just brought the person back to the capital and have found a suitable place to settle them.

Jia Cong was invigorated upon hearing this. Jiang Liu was very efficient in his work, and things were progressing very smoothly.

Although he was the head of the family, dealing with a servant was not a difficult task for him.

However, with his official rank and the reputation of being a Hanlin scholar, he needed to be cautious in officialdom. Acting impulsively and naively would only make him a laughingstock.

Moreover, since no one reported him, Qin Yong's misdeeds remained unknown, and he ultimately had no legitimate reason to act.

This time, Jiang Liu found the victim, and the government arrested and dealt with the matter according to the law, saving him a lot of trouble.

This would not only eliminate future troubles for Yuchuan, but also rid the household of a wicked servant.

He said, "Go back and rest first. Arrange for the old man to go to Zhen'an Prefecture to file a complaint tomorrow morning. The government will arrest and interrogate him, and the truth will come out."

……

Rongguo Mansion, East Courtyard.

Early in the morning, after Lady Wang had breakfast, she saw Jia Zheng off to his official duties in the inner courtyard. When she returned to the main hall, Yu Chuan had already brewed hot new tea.

While sipping her hot tea, Lady Wang was preoccupied with Caixia's situation. Grandmother Jia had suggested that after Baoyu's marriage, Caixia should stay at the West Mansion to prepare for her pregnancy.

Lady Wang understood what Grandmother Jia meant. Although Miss Xia looked virtuous and generous, she was not yet a married woman, and at most, only five or six tenths of her true nature could be known.

Before the first wife was married and consummated her marriage, the other women in the house were already pregnant. Any capable daughter-in-law would find it hard to swallow this insult.

The old lady was worried that Caixia's child wouldn't survive...

But Madam Wang did not have such worries. Although Xia was a capable girl, her actions and demeanor when she delivered the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts that day showed that she was indeed a capable young lady.

But no matter how skillful she was, she was just a teenage girl. Madam Wang had been a daughter-in-law for many years and was now a mother-in-law. She was confident that she could easily handle this young girl.

Therefore, Madam Wang had no worries about Caixia giving birth in the East Courtyard, as everything was under her control.

However, her decision to refuse Grandmother Jia's request was quite different from her usual attempts to involve the West Mansion.

Although Grandmother Jia was old, she was not senile and would surely become suspicious, which was what Lady Wang was most worried about.

Therefore, after much deliberation, she still felt that following Grandmother Jia's wishes was the most appropriate course of action.

Moreover, once this matter is settled, even if Baoyu moves back to the East Courtyard, she will still have a reason to frequently visit the West Mansion.

Otherwise, the second wife will truly become like water spilled from the West Mansion, and the chances of retaining any hope of a future relationship will become increasingly slim.

At most, I would give Caixia a stern warning beforehand, forbidding her from revealing even the slightest hint of what was going on in her words or actions.

The maid she had raised since childhood knew Caixia's personality: timid, submissive, and easily swayed.

As long as she wants her son and herself to live, she will keep quiet...

……

Lady Wang had made up her mind and was planning to go to Rongqing Hall to pay her respects to Grandmother Jia and, at the same time, settle the matter of Caixia.

Just then, Qin Xian's wife entered the main room with a big smile on her face and an account book in her hand.

He said, "Madam, it's just past the fifteenth of the twelfth lunar month, and it's time to distribute the monthly allowance. I went to Second Madam's courtyard early this morning to hand it over."

Everyone in the courtyard has received their monthly allowance, and the accounts have been checked and verified. Please review them, Madam.

Madam Wang took the account book, turned to the first page, saw twenty taels of silver under her name, and pursed her lips slightly.

Although the second branch has moved to the east courtyard, everyone in the west mansion knows and understands the kindness and favor the master has shown to that boy in the east mansion.

It's only right that the young man shows respect to his master in all matters; otherwise, his reputation as a Hanlin scholar would be quite tarnished.

Feng Yatou is currently enjoying her success because of her son, and she is well aware of the reasons behind it. Even though she is shrewd and capable, she doesn't dare to cause trouble in this area.

Although she could no longer manage the West Mansion, she still received the duties of a housekeeper's wife, so the family still maintained some semblance of order.

……

Madam Wang asked, "When you went to hand over your monthly allowance, did Feng'er have anything to say?"

Qin Xian's wife said, "When I arrived, it was still early. Second Madam was getting dressed in the inner room. It was Miss Ping who was handing over matters to me."

"We hadn't finished our business here when Second Madam took Feng'er out. They were probably going to Rongqing Hall to perform the proper etiquette for the Old Madam."

Madam Wang felt uncomfortable upon hearing this. She was confined to this courtyard in the east wing, and it was too inconvenient for her to go out and move around. The old lady had eyes and ears around her, and Feng'er was making a scene both inside and outside the house.

As the old lady gets older, she becomes increasingly easily swayed. She considers anyone who flatters and speaks to her to be filial and close.

If this goes on for too long, even if the old lady still cares about the master and Baoyu, she will probably gradually lose interest and will most likely start to favor the eldest son's family.

Madam Wang felt that this situation was not just her overthinking; the old lady's attitude towards Cong-ge was now very different from before.

Thinking about it this way, it is indeed necessary and urgent for Caixia to take care of her pregnancy in the West Mansion. With this mother and daughter in front of the old lady, she will remember my Baoyu more.

……

Madam Wang glanced at Qin Xian's wife and saw that she looked obedient and enthusiastic.

He said, "You are efficient. The monthly allowances were distributed today. If you work hard for me and the master, I will not treat you unfairly."

Qin Xian's wife smiled and said, "It is our blessing that you are so kind to your servants, Madam. This is all I should do, and I dare not accept your praise."

"But I have one more request of you, my lady. I would like to ask you to grant me this favor."

Madam Wang was displeased upon hearing this and said, "Didn't I tell you the reason for what you mentioned last time? The time is not right yet, and it can't be rushed."

Upon hearing this, Yu Chuan's pretty face turned pale. She bit her cherry lips slightly and looked coldly at Qin Xian's wife, wishing she could tear her mouth apart.

He couldn't help but wonder, last time his sister said that Miss Bao had asked Third Master for help, but now there's been no word from her at all...

Qin Xian's wife laughed and said, "Madam misunderstands me. I wasn't talking about the original matter."

My husband, Qin Yong, is not young anymore. He is a proper domestic servant, but he has never been assigned any tasks.

It's too shameful to be idle like this; I must always serve my master faithfully.

So we hope that my wife will be kind enough to give him a job. We don't dare to be picky; we'll do anything as long as it's something in the yard, like running errands or doing odd jobs.

Madam Wang pondered for a moment after hearing this. She knew very well what kind of person Qin Yong was.

She really didn't want him to get involved in the affairs of the East Road Courtyard. If any gossip got out and reached the master's ears, it would surely cause more trouble.

Qin Xian's wife said, "Although my Qin Yong is not capable, he is loyal to his wife. As long as his wife assigns him a task, he will definitely not embarrass her..."

Madam Wang said in a deep voice, "I know your son is not young and does need to be assigned a task. I have considered it."

Now that you're in charge of the inner courtyard, you know best how small the east courtyard is. Everyone has their own designated spot, and there's simply no spare space.

But I don't want your son to suffer, so I'll send him to work on the estate. It's quiet and respectable, much better than being crammed in with people in the courtyard.

Upon hearing this, Qin Xian's wife's expression changed. Every servant knew that the jobs in the household were the most respectable and proper.

Only erring servants, fools whom their masters despise, are sent to the estate to fend for themselves.

The wife still relies on herself and her husband to manage the household, yet she pushes her son onto the estate. What kind of favor is that...? (End of Chapter)