Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

After the New Year's Eve ancestral worship ceremony, Grandmother Jia, along with her daughters-in-law, granddaughters, and other female relatives, returned to Rongqing Hall to rest.

Several of his sisters-in-law and aunts from other branches of the family accompanied him, all of whom were relatives of a higher generation, making the hall feel very lively.

Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, Lady Xing, and others chatted over tea, feigning cheerfulness, but each harbored their own melancholy.

Li Wan, on the other hand, was in a good mood. She took her son Jia Lan's hand and chatted with Yingchun and the other sisters. The atmosphere was very harmonious.

After being executed in Ningguo, Lady You took refuge in the inner courtyard of the Jia family and rarely appeared in public. She was of the same generation as Li Wan, Yingchun and others, and they got along quite well.

Wang Xifeng, with a beaming smile, uttered witty remarks, weaving back and forth, telling several jokes that made Grandmother Jia laugh heartily.

Grandmother Jia was, after all, a cheerful and optimistic person. The unpleasant matter at the ancestral sacrifice was already a fait accompli, and further worry would be of no use.

After being teased by Wang Xifeng, she readily let it go. Thinking of the Rong family's reputation being restored and now surpassing its former glory, her mood brightened again.

The old lady quickly and selectively forgot about Du Jinniang's glorious and illustrious performance at the ancestral rites...

As for what Madam Wang and Madam Xing were really feeling, no one present cared.

……

As everyone relaxed until sunset, Lin Zhixiao's wife came in to report that the New Year's Eve banquet was ready and the female opera singers they had invited were also prepared.

Hearing this, Grandmother Jia felt relieved and led the women of her household into the main hall.
The grand flower hall has a bright and magnificent dome, with more than ten glass hibiscus tassel lanterns hanging from it, and white glass palace lanterns surrounding it, illuminating the flower hall in a splendid and magnificent light.

Eight or nine banquet tables have been set up in the hall, with a tall table next to each table, burning imperial lily incense, displaying fresh flowers and small potted plants, and also a small lacquered tea tray.

The items placed on the high table next to Grandmother Jia's table were more meticulous than those of others. In addition to teacups, rinsing bowls, and foreign towels, Yuanyang also placed an eyeglass case on it.

Grandmother Jia was getting old and her eyesight was failing, so she didn't wear glasses on a daily basis, only when watching plays.

In addition to various exquisite cold dishes, the banquet also featured Tusu wine, Hehuan soup, auspicious fruits, and Ruyi cakes, all in celebration of good fortune for the New Year.

After Grandmother Jia and the others took their seats, Aunt Xue brought Baochai in, followed by Daiyu, Shi Xiangyun, Xing Xiuyan, Zhishao, Wu'er, Ping'er, and Yinglian.

Behind them followed Qingwen, Lingguan, Douguan, and others from Jia Cong's room, along with their personal maids.

Then came the second wife's concubines, including Aunt Zhou, Aunt Zhao, Xiren, Caiyun, and Caixia.

These women were either relatives of the Jia family, concubines from various households, or important young ladies and maids in the house.

Before long, the main hall, with its more than ten banquet tables, was almost full. The air was filled with the fragrance of skirts and the shimmering light of hairpins. Flowers bloomed in profusion, and beautiful women vied for attention.

……

Lady Wang looked around and saw Xiren approaching. She asked, "Where is Baoyu?"

Xi Ren looked slightly embarrassed and said, "There are men's seats set up in the Songxuan Hall outside. Second Master Bao, Master, and Third Master Cong are all seated there."

Madam Wang frowned and said, "How can this be?"

Considering that Baoyu has always sat in the inner quarters for many years, this is the proper way to do things.

Although Lady Wang was unconvinced, she knew the reason behind it, and it seemed a bit far-fetched for her to insist that Baoyu join the women's table.

Considering that the old lady only doted on Baoyu, and now he is being neglected like this, it is probably the eldest son's family's doing.

Then, considering that he had just lost his head maid Yuchuan, and the situation was already very unfavorable, and there was still the matter of cutting expenses, he didn't have the confidence to do anything, so he had no choice but to give up in frustration.

However, Lady Wang's words still reached the ears of Grandmother Jia, who wanted Baoyu to come and keep her company.

Although Grandmother Jia doted on Baoyu, she also knew she had to consider the reputation of the eldest son's family, so even if she was unwilling, she could only give up.

Aunt Xue, who sat at the same table, sighed inwardly upon hearing Madam Wang's words, wondering if her sister was truly confused or just pretending.

Not only is Baoyu already an adult, but he is also a betrothed young man. Now that he is an outsider, how can he possibly enter the inner courtyard for women?

There are several tables of women from the main family sitting here. Are we to let this scoundrel from the side family come in and look at their heads and feet? What kind of manners and etiquette would that be?

Cong-ge'er is the proper head of the family, and he's not engaged or married yet. If even he doesn't attend the women's banquet, how could it possibly be Bao-yu's turn?

When Wang Xifeng saw Madam Wang's actions, she watched coldly without saying a word. Instead, she called over her maid Feng'er and whispered some instructions in her ear.

……

Outside Rongqing Hall, along the covered walkway, less than ten steps away is Songxuan Hall, where the men's seating is arranged.

The hall was decorated with glass lanterns with colorful tassels, in the style of a large flower hall, and more than ten tables were set up for banquets.

In addition to male members such as Jia Cong, Jia Zheng, Bao Yu, and Jia Huan, there were also elder members from the concubine families such as Jia Dairu and Jia Daixiu.

The others included Jia Rui, Jia Jun, Jia Qin, Jia Yun, Jia Ling, Jia Chang, and other sons from various branches of the family. They were of different ages and seniorities, too numerous to mention, and each sat at several tables.

In addition, members of the Twelve Branches of Jinling came to Beijing to pay respects to their elders, accompanied by four or five younger members, who also sat at separate tables according to their seniority.

As soon as everyone sat down and exchanged a few pleasantries, a variety of delicacies and hot dishes were served in a continuous stream. The atmosphere was festive as everyone raised their chopsticks and drank wine.

As the head of the family and a man of great achievements, Jia Cong naturally became the focus of the banquet, and his peers and juniors often came up to toast him.

Jia Dairu was Jia Cong's mentor, and the fact that the Jia family school he managed produced a Hanlin scholar was the most glorious thing in his life.

During the banquet, Jia Dairu asked Jia Cong, who was unavailable for the New Year, to inscribe a name and couplet for the Jia family's private school to encourage the children of the clan to study.

As the head of the family, Jia Cong readily agreed. Jia Dairu was overjoyed and, disregarding seniority, toasted Jia Cong.

……

When Baoyu heard them talking about studying for the imperial examinations and pursuing education, he felt that the atmosphere at the banquet was sour, rotten, and stinking, almost suffocating him.

Then I noticed that Jia Huan was wearing a newly made robe, made of high-quality rain-blue soft silk with a dark pattern, and the craftsmanship looked quite exquisite.

Baoyu frowned, feeling that the robe looked very familiar. Caixia had made one for him last time, but the pattern didn't suit his taste, so he didn't ask about it again afterward.

Recently, there have been some rumors in the mansion that Jia Huan is also studying hard, which disgusts Baoyu. He thinks that with such a hypocritical character, he doesn't deserve to wear the same clothes.

In short, he felt that the men's section was filled with a sense of mediocrity, with everyone talking about official careers and economics, and everyone flattering and praising Jia Cong, which he found unbearable to watch.

However, with his master present, Baoyu did not dare to be presumptuous. Only when Jia Zheng was toasting Dai Ru did he quietly get up and leave the table.

……

As he walked out of the hall and onto the covered walkway, the cold night wind blew against him, and Baoyu felt a sense of relief, as if he had regained his innocence from the filth.

Thinking back to previous years when I was always seated at the inner banquet, able to eat and talk with my sisters, and admire their faces and smell their fragrance, how delightful that was! This is how I should be.

This year, some clueless idiot actually arranged for himself to sit in the men's section, forcing him to endure the stench and filth. It was utterly despicable.

Thinking of how the sisters in the family are all in the main hall, and how Ping'er and Wu'er are by Jia Cong's side, they are all rare figures in the world.

Lingguan, whom he had met before, was an exceptionally beautiful woman, and she looked remarkably like Lin Daiyu. Thinking of this, his heart burned with excitement, and he was overjoyed.

Hurriedly walking along the covered corridor, I quickly stepped into Rongqing Hall and went straight to the large flower hall in the backyard to take my seat.

……

Just as Baoyu reached the entrance of the main hall, a person suddenly appeared from the side and blocked his way. It was Lin Zhixiao's wife, the steward of the inner courtyard.

Baoyu felt a little scared when he saw her, and he was disgusted by her dead fish eyes.

When Ping'er performed the traditional marriage ceremony at Rongqing Hall, Baoyu, lusting after her beauty, had wild fantasies and wanted to enter the hall to make some irresponsible remarks, hoping to stop the matter.

It was only because Lin Zhixiao's wife, acting on Wang Xifeng's orders, kept him firmly outside Rongqing Hall that he was prevented from succeeding.

Afterwards, Baoyu had wild thoughts, thinking that if it weren't for Lin Zhixiao's wife's interference and his own righteous words, Ping'er might not have fallen into Jia Cong's hands.

Later, he got angry about this and smashed half of the antiques in his room. Then, Lin Zhixiao's family led a group to ransack his house, making him lose face.

Now that he was about to enter the hall, this dead fish eye was blocking his way again, how could he not be angry?

He asked angrily, "What is the meaning of blocking my way, Aunt Lin?"

……

Just now, Wang Xifeng's words reminded her to take precautions.

She knew Baoyu's temperament well; if she arranged for him to sit in the men's section this time, he would surely shamelessly try to get into the women's section as well.

There were three widows and a bunch of maids sitting at the table; how could they let outsiders take advantage of the situation?

So she asked Feng'er to pass on a message to Lin Zhixiao's family, specifically asking her to stand guard at the entrance of the main hall.

Lin Zhixiao's wife gave a forced smile and said, "Second Master Bao, this is the women's private quarters. You can't just barge in like that, lest you break the family's etiquette."

Baoyu's face turned bright red, and he said indignantly, "What are you saying, Aunt Lin? In previous years I always sat in the inner seats, how come I can't now? This is outrageous!"

Lin Zhixiao's wife's expression darkened slightly as she said, "Master Bao also knows that this was something that happened in previous years. The situation is very different now, so naturally we cannot follow the old precedent."

In previous years, when Master Bao was still a minor, it was acceptable, but now that he is over fifteen, he is a man who is engaged.

Naturally, one must observe proper etiquette by avoiding the women of the inner quarters; this is the proper conduct of a young master from a prominent family.

Besides, half the people in the hall are the daughters and maids of the first wife. The second master is an outsider from the second wife's household, so he should definitely avoid them; otherwise, what kind of decorum would that be?"

……

Bao felt deeply insulted upon hearing the word "married man," his heart breaking. The word "outsider" only fueled his rage, making him even more furious!
He was born with a jade in his mouth, the old lady's most beloved grandson, how did he end up in such a state?

That damned servant and old hag dares to talk nonsense to me like that. What rubbish about outsiders? Her whole family are outsiders!
He said in a sorrowful voice, "How can you say such things again? I am Baoyu! How can I be considered an outsider? You are talking nonsense!"

……

Lin Zhixiao's wife looked grim and said, "Look at what you're saying, Second Master. The Rongguo Mansion is now the residence of the Third Master of the First Branch."

Second Master is a man from the second branch of the family, so naturally he's considered an outsider in the Rongguo Mansion. Is there anything wrong with that? Second Master, you'd better not make a scene, lest you lose face during the New Year.

Baoyu felt extremely ashamed. This damned servant woman, who kept calling him an outsider, was utterly despicable.

He declared resolutely, "No matter what you say, it's no use. I'm going to the inner quarters today, and we'll have the old lady settle this!"

Baoyu was filled with grief and indignation, unwilling to endure humiliation, and his words were resounding with conviction.

Seeing Lin Zhixiao's wife slightly taken aback, seemingly intimidated by his imposing manner, he couldn't help but feel smug. How could he let such an old servant control him?

Just as he was feeling somewhat smug, he saw Lin Zhixiao's wife say, "Second Master, Third Master, Third Master Huan."

When Baoyu saw her gaze turn to behind him, he felt a chill run down his spine, his legs went weak, and a layer of cold sweat broke out on his back.

He heard Jia Zheng's stern words: "Baoyu, why aren't you at the banquet? What are you doing running around here making a scene? You clueless brat!"

Baoyu quickly turned around and saw his father's displeased face. Jia Cong, standing beside him, was expressionless and had indifferent eyes, which made Baoyu feel uneasy.

Seeing Baoyu's cowardly and weak appearance, Jia Huan felt a sense of pleasure and looked at him with a crooked eye and a smirk.

Jia Zheng said coldly, "Now that you're here, come inside with me and Cong-ge'er to offer a toast to the old lady and the elders."

Then immediately return to the Songxuan Hall and take your seat. You ignorant brat, if you dare to cause trouble again, I'll skin you alive!

Baoyu turned pale with fright. His earlier resounding words and high spirits vanished in an instant.

Seeing Baoyu's attitude, Lin Zhixiao's wife felt truly contemptuous. If Jia Zheng and Jia Cong hadn't been present, she probably would have shown her displeasure.

……

When he entered the main hall, although Baoyu was filled with fear and resentment, the sight of the fragrant flowers and beautiful women made his heart soften.

Leaving aside the sisters' table, just look at the other two tables—they are truly a riot of color, dazzling the eye, enough to make one willing to die for them.

After Jia Zheng, along with Jia Cong, Bao Yu, and Jia Huan, finished toasting Grandmother Jia, Ying Chun and the other sisters kept their eyes on Jia Cong.

He was wearing a brand-new royal blue robe with floral patterns, the stitches were delicate, and his waist and back were well-fitting, making him look even more handsome and dashing, with an outstanding demeanor.

Shi Xiangyun smiled and nudged Xing Xiuyan beside her, saying, "Sister Xing, your needlework is really good. Third Brother looks really good in this."

Xing Xiuyan's pretty face flushed red as she looked at Jia Cong's figure, her bright eyes sparkling with satisfaction and joy.

The four men were toasting each other for the New Year and were about to leave together. Although Baoyu was reluctant to part, he dared not be the slightest bit presumptuous in front of Jia Zheng.

Just as they were about to leave the main hall, Yingchun gently nudged Xichun, and the little girl immediately had a flash of inspiration.

She called out in a sweet voice, "Third brother, stand still for a moment and come over to talk to me for a while."

Jia Cong stopped in his tracks, and Jia Zheng smiled and said, "You go and talk to the sisters. I'll handle the men's business."

Jia Cong smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, sir."

Xichun moved the chair next to her and waved to him with a smile: "Third brother, I saved a seat for you. Come sit next to me."

Baoyu felt bitter and resentful. Why couldn't he sit at the women's table? Jia Cong could, but why wouldn't his fourth sister invite him to sit?

They are so pure and kind, yet they are blind to the good in us, allowing the corrupt and greedy Jia Cong to cloud their judgment. It is truly a sin.

What's even more infuriating is that Lin Zhixiao's family always talks about manners, yet the master indulges them without restraint. Who is his real son, really?

Seeing Baoyu hesitate, Jia Zheng snorted, "Stop dawdling! You have no manners at all! Hurry up and go!"

Baoyu sensed the dissatisfaction in Jia Zheng's words, and was so frightened that he trembled slightly. His innocence and indignation vanished instantly, and he dared not disobey in the slightest.

Looking dejected, with his head bowed and hands hanging limply, he followed Jia Zheng out of the main hall and felt a pang of heartache upon seeing Lady Wang.

……

Jia Cong saw that Xi Chun was sitting next to Ying Chun, and the empty seat next to her was where Dai Yu was sitting.

He laughed and said, "Fourth Sister is the most clever. She's the only one who remembers me and specially saved a seat for me."

Daiyu smiled and said, "Since you have received a favor from Fourth Sister, you should toast her. However, she is too young to drink alcohol, so you should do it for her."

Besides your own cup, I'll help you with yours, Fourth Sister. Saying this, she raised her own cup and held it to Jia Cong's lips, so he could drink it.

Then she poured another cup and served it to him again. Yingchun said with a smile, "Sister Lin, Brother Cong is a man of modest drinking capacity. Be careful that you don't get him drunk."

Daiyu laughed and said, "Today is the New Year's Eve banquet, which only happens once a year. It doesn't matter if Third Brother gets drunk. He can just go back to sleep anyway, and no one will laugh at him."

Lady Wang, who was sitting at the next table, frowned when she saw this scene. She felt that Daiyu was really impolite to be feeding a young master wine. What kind of behavior was that?

Wang Xifeng came over and teased, "Brother Cong, I saw that you drank Lin Daiyu's wine without your face turning red or your eyes twitching. Your alcohol tolerance is really good. Where is your refinement?"

Daiyu was intelligent and perceptive. She sensed the teasing and gossipy undertone in Wang Xifeng's words. Her pretty face flushed slightly, but she didn't fall for it and respond.

Seeing the blush on her cheeks and the tenderness in her eyes, Wang Xifeng felt a slight stirring in her heart. "Third Brother Cong is no pushover..."

Seeing Jia Cong take his seat, Xiao Hong went to fetch brand new cups, plates, bowls, and chopsticks. Jia Cong asked, "Why do I only see you here? Where is Yu Chuan?"

Xiao Hong said, "Yu Chuan said that there are firecrackers and paper offerings everywhere tonight, and Rongxi Hall is full of lamp oil and candles, so it would be better if someone could keep an eye on things."

She insisted on staying by herself, so I went along with it. Actually, it wasn't convenient for her to come over..."

Although Xiao Hong didn't finish her sentence, Jia Cong understood what she meant: Lady Wang harbored resentment towards Yu Chuan for leaving the second branch of the household.

Yu Chuan was worried that if she went into the flower hall, Madam Wang would likely give her a cold shoulder, so she simply stayed inside and didn't go out.

Jia Cong smiled slightly. This little girl didn't talk much, but she had quite a few ideas.

……

Suddenly, Caixia stood up from the table and walked towards the exit of the flower hall, followed closely by a little maid.

Because Caixia was pregnant, Grandmother Jia specially arranged a maid for her to follow her around and take care of her.

When Aunt Zhao, who was sitting at the same table, saw Caixia get up, her eyes lit up. She hesitated for only a moment, then got up without making a sound and followed her out of the main hall.

Others assumed they were going to relieve themselves and didn't pay any attention, let alone notice the inconspicuous little package in Aunt Zhao's hand.

Aunt Zhao walked quickly along the covered walkway and saw Caixia and the little maid heading towards Baoyu Courtyard.

As soon as the two reached the courtyard gate, Aunt Zhao said, "Caixia, the banquet isn't over yet, why are you back already?"

Caixia turned around and saw that it was Aunt Zhao. She looked a little surprised and said, "Oh, it's Aunt Zhao. What are you doing here? I've been sitting for a long time and I'm tired. I came back to rest first."

Aunt Zhao said, "That's how it is when you're pregnant. You can't sit for long periods of time, and it can even hurt the baby. You can't be too careless."

He then said to the maid, "Go and tidy up Caixia's bedding so she can rest early. I'll keep her company and talk to her."

Upon hearing this, the young maidservant hurried off to attend to the matter. It was New Year's Eve, and the servants in the manor were either busy with other tasks or celebrating the New Year with their own feasts.

No one was moving around at the entrance of Baoyu Courtyard; it was quiet all around, with only the occasional sound of fireworks and firecrackers in the distance.

……

After watching her maid walk away, Aunt Zhao lowered her voice and said viciously, "How dare you send Huan'er a robe! Do you want to get him killed?!"

Upon hearing this, Caixia's expression changed drastically. She was confident that she had done things discreetly, deliberately finding an excuse to burn incense and hiring a stranger to deliver clothes, making it difficult for others to see through her scheme.

Even though Aunt Zhao knew that she would never betray her son, she never expected that Zhao would come to question her, and she was so frightened that she couldn't speak.

When Aunt Zhao saw that Caixia's face was pale, she felt a little soft-hearted, and then she noticed that Caixia's waist was already showing signs of swelling.

Thinking of the hidden question in my heart, a surge of passion welled up, and I couldn't help but feel a desire to ask.

But then he remembered Tan Chun's serious warning: if he found out the truth, and it was just as he imagined, it would be a hot potato, something he couldn't pick up or throw away.

Even if she had nothing to do with it, she would inevitably get into big trouble. Thinking of how serious it would be, she swallowed back the words that were about to come out.

Having made up my mind, I realized that Third Sister was the smartest. To really figure this out would be a sign of a madman; a muddled mess was a muddled mess…

He said, "Let it go this time. I've been there too. Women become stupid when they're pregnant, and they're more likely to do stupid things."

But this is a one-time exception. If you dare to do it again and someone sees through your deception, we'll all die together!

Caixia's face was deathly pale, and her voice was so low it could barely be heard: "Auntie, I'll never dare to do it again."

Aunt Zhao shoved the package in her hand into hers.

He said, "He's focused on his studies now, trying to make a name for himself. If you still care about the past, just pretend he never existed!"
I made an exact replica. Keep it safe, just in case someone notices, so you can use it as an excuse.

Caixia held the package in her hand, her eyes reddening and tears streaming down her face. Aunt Zhao stared at her belly, scrutinizing it for a moment, before finally sighing.

He said, "Go back and rest, I'm leaving."

After saying that, he hurriedly went back, his figure disappearing into the night... (End of this chapter)