Red Mansion: Fuyao River and Mountain

Rongguo Mansion, Rongqing Hall.

Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "What use is it for me to like it? Now that I'm old, my eyesight is failing, and my mind is old-fashioned. It's hard to fathom a young lady's thoughts."

In my opinion, you should send all these fabrics to the Xia family so that Miss Xia can choose the ones she likes best. It's a good omen for your daughter-in-law to enter the family.

Last year, you and your in-laws set the wedding date for March, and I thought it was too long. Now I feel it's too early; I wish the wedding date were a few months later.

Madam Wang smiled and said, "The old lady has always loved Baoyu the most and always wanted him to get married and settle down as soon as possible. Now that all the good things have come to pass, why do you think it's too early?"

Grandmother Jia laughed and said, "Now that Cong-ge'er is going to war, any such thing will take at least half a year and at most a year. When Grandpa Baoyu was alive, I experienced a lot of things like that."

Baoyu is getting married in three months, and Cong-ge'er certainly won't be able to make it back in time. This marriage has lost much of its luster; otherwise, why would I have said it was too early? It's truly a pity.

Upon hearing this, Madam Wang felt a surge of unease. She knew it was best he didn't return to discuss Baoyu's marriage with that boy from Guandong Prefecture, lest he be disgusted by what he saw…

He said, "Cong-ge is an official in the court, so naturally he has official matters to attend to. It's normal that he can't come back for a while. With the old lady at home, everything is fine."

……

Grandmother Jia glanced at Lady Wang and said, "You didn't understand what I meant. Just look at the situation in the last two days. Cong-ge'er was granted an official position by imperial decree, and how many guests came to congratulate him from these two mansions."

Not to mention those noble families with generations of friendship, many civil officials and military generals from various government offices also came. This was only because Cong-ge was not at home, otherwise the door would have been worn out.

In recent years, his official position has risen higher and higher, his reputation has grown, and his connections in official circles have become increasingly impressive. Even the old man, at his age, has not been as outstanding.

The Jia family of Rongguo was originally a family of military generals. Not only did they produce Hanlin scholars, but now they even have vice ministers. Which of these noble relatives is not envious of us?

Having a son like Cong-ge to support the family is beneficial to our whole family. On the day of Bao-yu's wedding, Cong-ge can also be at home to keep order.

Not to mention that all the old relatives from prominent families will be present to offer their congratulations, even officials from the Six Ministries will likely be there, as it's a matter of prestige for Baoyu.

But if Cong-ge'er can't come back, there will be far fewer guests. It's been a long time since our family had a celebration, so naturally I want it to be a grand and lively affair. That's why I feel we've held the celebration too early.

……

Hearing this, Lady Wang felt extremely uncomfortable. Although she resented Jia Cong, she knew that Grandmother Jia's words were indeed reasonable, and that things were just as they seemed.

If that boy were at home, on the day of Baoyu's wedding, not only would many noble families and officials be present, but also many civil officials would be there. Moreover, that boy has connections with several ministers.

If the top two of the six ministries were to be chosen, my marriage to Baoyu would cause a sensation in the capital. Only then would he be worthy of the noble birth of a man born with a jade pendant, and who would dare to look down on the second wife after that…

Grandmother Jia's words were indeed heartfelt. She was impressed by Jia Cong's good fortune and, in addition, favored Baoyu, hoping that he would gain more prestige through Jia Cong and be better able to conduct himself in the world in the future.

This stirred up Lady Wang's emotions, torn between wanting Jia Cong to disappear without a trace and hoping for his early return home. She was caught in a dilemma, lost in wild thoughts and a chaotic mess of emotions.

Lady Wang finally managed to calm herself down, but due to the intense turmoil and emotional turmoil, she was on the verge of a breakdown. She felt that the Jia family had truly gone mad, as if everyone had been bewitched by Jia Cong.

Even the old lady, a seasoned woman, was intimidated by Jia Cong's power and said such things, yet she herself thought they made sense. This was truly driving people crazy.

She thought her own Baoyu was the most principled. No matter how others tried to sway him, he always had his own ideas. She dared not discuss this matter with Grandmother Jia, lest she be disgusted to death.

Fortunately, Baoyu married the daughter of a wealthy merchant. If he had married a daughter of an official, wouldn't she have been envious of the young master of the East Mansion's academic achievements? That would have been a disgrace to Baoyu.

After a moment of wild speculation, Lady Wang felt a surge of relief and became even more satisfied with the marriage. She chatted with Grandmother Jia for a few more minutes and then sent someone to deliver several bolts of fabric to the Xia family.

……

Shenjing, Qingyufang, Xiafu.

As the first month of the lunar calendar draws to a close, the paulownia trees in front of the boudoirs and embroidered chambers have already sprouted tender buds. Although the spring chill is still lingering, there is already a sense of gentle warmth in the wind.

The young lady wore a ginger-yellow satin jacket with a front opening, embroidered with exquisite two-colored hibiscus branches. It was exceptionally delicate and gorgeous, which further accentuated her slender figure, her waist as slender as a willow, and her demeanor charming.

She was sitting on a daybed in the main room of the embroidered building, holding a pink porcelain covered bowl, slowly sipping tea. In front of her stood an old woman in her thirties, holding an account book.

He said, “Miss, the madam says she is getting on in years, and you will soon be getting married. Sooner or later, you will have to take over the family business, and she wants you to review the monthly business records.”

"If the young lady finds anything amiss in the account books, please let us know. The madam says she's intelligent and capable, and won't make mistakes in handling business."

Miss Xia took the account book. Actually, she wasn't too enthusiastic about managing the family business, because the Xia family had few bloodlines and no troublesome collateral relatives, making it quite simple.

Miss Xia is an only child, and the family business will be hers sooner or later. As a result, she is more calm and less passionate. In the prime of her youth, her heart is filled with only those transgressive desires and fantasies.

She casually flipped through the ledger, and when she saw a page, her eyes lit up. She said, "Xiuniang Incense Shop, we had no business dealings before, but this is Xinchunhao's main store in Shenjing!"

Granny Xu laughed and said, "What you said is right, Miss. Xiuniang Incense Shop is Xinchun Shop. It is their original shop. They are used to the name on Shenjing Commercial Road."

The finest perfumes produced by Xiuniang Fragrance Shop are renowned throughout the world. To make perfumes, the best fresh flowers are used as ingredients, and in the past, they would source their goods from three flower nurseries in the south of the city.

When it comes to the flower and tree business, the Xia family in Shenjing is second to none. Back when Xiuniang Incense Shop became famous, the madam sent someone to discuss business with them.

That year, the incense shop was still managed by Jinling Qu, but the deal fell through. Later, the wife asked around and found out that the Earl of Weiyuan didn't want to drive away his old customers.

But fortunes change in this world. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, fireworks were set off in the south of the city, and a flower nursery that supplied incense to the incense shop was burned to the ground.

After the lady learned of the news, she sent the manager to negotiate the business the next day. Xiuniang Fragrance Shop's perfume business was booming, and they couldn't afford to lose 30% of their raw materials for no reason.

The Xia family acted swiftly, and their flowers were among the best in the capital. The deal was quickly finalized, and because the Xia family was no ordinary flower nursery, their price was ten percent higher than others.

……

Upon hearing this, Miss Xia frowned slightly and asked, "Aunt Xu, how long did it take to finalize the contract? Who is the other party's manager, and what is his relationship with Marquis Weiyuan?"

Granny Xu said, "The incense shop owner is a Lady Feng. I don't know her background, and I didn't inquire about it. But to be the owner of the Xiu Niang Incense Shop, she must have an extraordinary background."

The agreed-upon contract is for six months. Whether it will be renewed after six months will need to be negotiated again. This is likely for two reasons: firstly, as an emergency measure, and secondly, to test the supply of goods—a common practice in business.

Miss Xia said, "This deal is not appropriate. Back then, Marquis Weiyuan refused to take on the Xia family's business, which shows that he is very methodical in his dealings and would not change his mind because of the Xia family's slight reputation."

The fact that Lady Feng could become the manager of Xiuniang Incense Shop must mean that she was someone that Marquis Weiyuan valued. Her methods were probably similar to his. She only signed a six-month contract, which meant she had left herself a way out.

Although Xinchun Company started later than the Xia family, its rise has been remarkable. Now it is a first-class imperial merchant, and with the Earl of Weiyuan as its backer, this business deal cannot be missed.

"Have the shopkeeper talk to Madam Feng. The Jia and Xia families are now related by marriage. They don't act like typical merchants; they want their families to be prosperous and harmonious. Reduce the price by another 20%, and say it's my idea."

…………

Upon hearing this, Granny Xu looked somewhat taken aback and said, "Miss, the price we quoted to Xiuniang Incense Shop was not inflated; it's the usual price for the Xia family."

This deal, as usual, yields a 40% profit. The girl's offer is reduced by 20%, cutting the profit in half. Add to that the necessary losses, and we won't make much money.

Miss Xia said, "Doing business requires a long-term perspective. The Xia family is not short of money. With an orphan and a widow, it will not be easy to maintain such a large family business."

What the Xia family lacks most is a powerful backer. You should know the reputation of Xinchunhao now. Many merchants want to curry favor with them but can't find a way. This opportunity should not be missed.

I am about to marry into the Jia family. The Jia family is prestigious and outstanding, and is now a legitimate family of Hanlin scholars. If I were to gain an extra advantage before even entering the family, wouldn't that make them look down on me?

Moreover, Lady Feng of Xiuniang Incense Shop is a cautious person. She accepted our business even though we charged a higher price, which means she knew I was going to marry into the Jia family and that's why she gave us this face.

However, she only signed a six-month contract, leaving herself a great way out. The Earl of Weiyuan is currently on a campaign abroad and will surely return in six months. At that time, the matter will come to his attention.

At that time, he would be the eldest son of the main branch, while I would be a wife of the second branch. Our kinship would be inherently separate. He's a worldly man, a man of great ambitions, and wouldn't concern himself with petty family matters. Six months later, Madam Feng would find another suitor with a more favorable price. She could easily outmaneuver us with a single word. Having already taken advantage of us for six months, what could we possibly say?

However, we lowered our profit by 20%, which is 10% lower than others. This shows our sincerity and goodwill. Whether it is family reason or business rules, this is the only way for this business to last.

They couldn't shake them off no matter what they wanted. The Xia family's business was linked to Xinchunhao, giving their family fortune an extra layer of support, and it also gave me more favor and prestige within the Jia family—a highly profitable venture.

The old woman was completely convinced and praised, "No wonder the lady said the young lady is shrewd. The young lady's insight is remarkable, and her business skills have broadened my horizons."

Miss Xia said, "Have the shopkeeper tell Madam Feng that we can not only reduce our profit by 20%, but if she's willing, we can also take 30%, and the price is negotiable."

As long as the quantity of goods shipped increases, the losses will be spread out. Originally, you would only earn 10% profit, but by accumulating small amounts over time and increasing the flow of money, you will eventually earn more than 10% profit.

Let me tell you something private: what the Xia family lacks is not money, but the foundation and support of a wealthy family. There are already good sellers available, so even if it costs money, it's a worthwhile deal.

That's what my father did back then, and I, as his daughter, can't be foolish either. We absolutely cannot let someone like the Marquis of Weiyuan look down on the Xia family because of trivial matters like money.”

……

Hearing what Miss Xia said, Bao Chan secretly pouted. The girl spoke so grandly, as if it were all for the family business. Others may not know the details, but I do.

Ordinary people in the capital city were unaware of the details, but all the wealthy and powerful families knew the true nature of Xinchun Firm, which was originally a property secretly acquired by Jia Cong.

The girl just wanted to give Jia Cong some benefits so that he would think highly of her. A 20% profit would amount to a lot of silver, which was money for Jia Cong to spend. She was keeping a gigolo even before entering the family.

These benefits are only right for Master Bao. Master Bao is truly pitiful. He spends thousands of gold pieces to marry a girl, but he never imagined that the girl would be possessed by a demon, and that his wife would be slept with by someone else sooner or later...

The old woman was convinced by what Miss Xia said, but she felt something was off. She had never heard the young lady mention her son-in-law before, but she kept talking about the Earl of Weiyuan.

However, as a shopkeeper, she was more worldly-wise than the average person due to her extensive business experience. After a little thought, she realized that it was reasonable for Miss Xia to act this way.

Although the son-in-law of the Xia family was from the Jia family, he was from a side branch of the second branch. The girl was to marry into the Jia family, a noble family, and this son-in-law who did nothing was just an extra.

The most outstanding and powerful person in the Jia family was naturally the Earl of Weiyuan. It is said that he was the same age as his son-in-law, yet he had already become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations), been granted a title, and become a high-ranking official.

The young lady is to marry into a family of noble lineage, and she is so shrewd and proud. The Earl of Weiyuan is her cousin, so it is only natural that she would value him. It is only natural that she would use business to win him over.

……

Granny Xu figured it out. She was a shrewd and clever person who worked in the shop. The Earl of Weiyuan was in a good position, so she naturally tried to please him and win the favor of her daughter.

He laughed and said, "With your exceptional intelligence and talent, you are a first-rate person even among the daughters of prominent families in the capital. Only a noble and prestigious family like the Jia family can match your abilities."

The young woman's decision to make Xinchunhao a long-term business was extremely clever, considering that Xinchunhao originally belonged to the Earl of Weiyuan, a man of exceptional talent and influence in the capital.

When Miss Xia heard that she was a first-class lady and that Jia Cong was a first-class young man, and that the two were a perfect match, she felt very pleased and thought that Granny Xu had a good eye.

……

Seeing that Xia was all smiles and even more beautiful after her words, Granny Xu became even more enthusiastic and decided to flatter her, saying only the nice things she wanted to hear.

He smiled and said, "Miss, you are a young lady of noble birth, living a life of ease and comfort in your inner quarters. You are probably unaware of what is happening outside the window, but you don't know that the Jia family has another joyous occasion. Now everyone in the streets and alleys is talking about it."

Upon hearing of the Jia family's joyous occasion, Miss Xia's delicate body trembled. Her first thought was that it was related to Jia Cong, and she quickly asked, "Is it the Marquis of Weiyuan's joyous occasion? Tell me about it."

Granny Xu laughed and said, "You're so clever, young lady. You've managed to get involved with Xinchunhao's business. You've clearly seen how remarkable Marquis Weiyuan is. You really have a sharp eye."

These past two days, rumors have been circulating that the Earl of Weiyuan, in the eastern suburbs, led several hundred men to confront tens of thousands of Mongol Tartars, fighting fiercely until the sky darkened and the night was shrouded in darkness.

Later, in a fit of rage, he slaughtered several thousand Mongol Tartars. The eastern outskirts of the city were littered with Tartar corpses. People outside said that the Earl of Weiyuan was the reincarnation of Zhao Zilong, the greatest warrior of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Miss Xia was stunned, her eyes lit up, her cheeks flushed, and her heart exploded with joy. Her previous shrewdness vanished, and she didn't think that Granny Xu was talking nonsense at all.

……

Although she had visited the Jia family on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, she did not leave the house again after returning home. It was common practice for daughters of wealthy families to stay indoors, so she naturally did not know about Jia Cong's promotion and honor.

Mrs. Xia, who frequented the shop daily, naturally knew about Jia Cong's affairs. However, knowing that her daughter was infatuated with Jia Cong and would be getting married in two months, she naturally wouldn't tempt her.

He even secretly spread the word at home that the cooks, coachmen, gatekeepers, and servants who frequently went out and learned of Jia Cong's good news were not allowed to utter a word about it at home.

As the saying goes, no one knows a daughter better than her mother. Madam Xia knew that her children were unruly, stubborn, and arrogant. She already looked down on Baoyu when she saw someone like Jia Cong.

Now that the two are about to get married, if their daughter knows about Jia Cong's glory, she might become even more disloyal. How can the couple live in harmony after they get married?

Although Madam Xia was shrewd, she still made a mistake. She asked Granny Xu to teach her daughter how to do business, but forgot that Granny Xu worked in the shop and knew about Jia Cong's affairs.

Mrs. Xia never expected that her daughter would pay such close attention to every little thing related to Jia Cong. The inconspicuous four characters "Xiuniang Incense Shop" on the account book led her daughter to act in this way.

……

When Baochan saw that Miss Xia's eyes were shining and her face was flushed, she knew that something bad was about to happen. That old hag insisted on praising her to Jia Cong, as if she was afraid that the young lady would not have an affair.

Xu Pozi, of course, didn't care about Baochan's expression. Seeing that Miss Xia was so excited, she became even more delighted and embellished what she knew.

He laughed and said, "Young lady, you don't know that good things are yet to come. After the Marquis of Weiyuan won the victory outside the city, the Emperor was overjoyed and immediately issued an imperial decree to reward him."

People on the street were saying that on the day the imperial edict was issued, the emperor's carriage arrived, and the Minister of War read out the imperial decree. The scene was so grand and glorious that no one else could even dream of it..."

When Baochan saw that Miss Xia was smiling so sweetly, with her beautiful big eyes that made people dizzy, she wanted to tear Xu Pozi's mouth apart. If she kept talking, the girl would wet her pants.

The girl is Bao Erye's wife, yet she's so enthusiastic about another man. This old hag is simply outrageous! She's so talkative; I curse her to have a rotten tongue in the future.

Granny Xu continued to embellish the story, laughing as she said, "His Majesty not only appointed the Earl of Weiyuan as the Grand Commander of the Army Against the Mongols, but also promoted him to the rank of a fourth-grade official and appointed him as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works."

This teenage vice minister is an unprecedented event, the first of its kind in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Even previous dynasties had never heard of such a thing, and it was something that even plays wouldn't dare to portray.

The rumors circulating in the streets now say that the Earl of Weiyuan of the Jia family is as handsome as Pan An, possessing unparalleled literary and martial talents, enjoying all the advantages of the world, and must be a divine being reincarnated.

Miss Xia was overjoyed to hear this, but she forced herself to say, "Most of the rumors in the streets are exaggerated, but I believe this one. I've never seen anyone more smug than him in my entire life."

She then asked Granny Xu for all the details of the matter. Since the story was widely circulated in the city, Granny Xu naturally knew everything. Even for things she didn't understand, she would fabricate and exaggerate them.

Miss Xia and Granny Xu chattered on and on, making Granny Xu feel flattered. They only stopped when they were completely satisfied, their focus and enthusiasm surpassing ten times that of calculating her own business.

……

After Granny Xu left, Miss Xia smiled and said, "Baochan, you heard it all just now, didn't you? Cong-ge'er is good at both academics and martial arts, capable of charging into battle and capturing thieves."

I used to praise his merits, and I noticed you were a bit unconvinced. A sixteen-year-old vice-minister—have you ever heard of him? He's the real extraordinary man; everyone else is just a bunch of chickens and dogs!

Baochan felt a bit aggrieved. The girl's description of "earthen chickens and clay dogs" must also include Bao Erye. He was truly pitiful. Anyone with such a cousin would think he was an idiot.

He sighed and said, "What you said is certainly true, that Jia Cong is indeed very capable, but how come someone as capable as him was born into the Jia family, making everyone else seem so incompetent."

Miss Xia laughed and said, "What you said makes sense. He stands out from the crowd in the Jia family. The other young men in the Jia family are nothing compared to him, they don't even look human."

The mistress and servant were chatting when a maidservant outside announced that the second mistress of the Jia family had sent over red fabric for her wedding dress. Upon hearing this, Miss Xia frowned slightly… (End of Chapter)