The Red Chamber: Starting from Saving Xue Baochai

Chapter 79 The Mystery of the Red Mansion

Qin Keqing knew that this was Shen Yuan's way of taking care of them in disguise.

She had previously managed the household in Ning Mansion. Compared to Rong Mansion, Ning Mansion had much fewer people and the affairs were not complicated.

What's more, now that the mansion's assets have been confiscated, there is no need to take care of the farms and shops anymore. People have been arrested or left, and there is not much left. What could they need her and Youshi's help with?

With this in mind, when Qin Keqing looked at Shen Yuan again, there was more gratitude in her soft and bright eyes.

The beauty stood up, bowed to Shen Yuanying, and said softly: "Then thank you Master Yuan for taking me in."

When Youshi saw this, she also stood up and bowed, indicating that she accepted Shen Yuan's suggestion.

Shen Yuan smiled and shook his head, saying gently, "How can we take her in? You two will need to help Sister Xue more in the future."

After a pause, he said seriously, "As I said before, if Miss Qin and Sister You have a better place to go in the future, please tell me at any time. I will not force you to stay. Before that, just stay in my house."

Qin You and the other two looked at the gentle young man, nodded their heads, and felt comforted in their hearts.

Anything that helps someone in need will make people feel good about you.

Now that the matter was settled, the two girls relaxed a lot. They raised the wine cups on the table and toasted Shen Yuan.

Without waiting for Shen Yuan to respond, she raised her head and drank the wine in the cup.

"Miss Qin," Shen Yuan advised gently, "You are not in good health. Don't drink too quickly. It will hurt your body."

Qin Keqing was slightly startled after hearing this, and then she asked, "How did Master Yuan know that I was not feeling well?"

Shen Yuan was silent for a while, then said in a clear voice: "I heard from Sister Feng of the West Mansion that Miss Qin was not feeling well and had been bedridden for half a month. Is she feeling better now?"

Qin Keqing heard this, and some nightmare-like memories came back to her mind. Her beautiful face gradually turned pale, and she lowered her eyes and said, "I'm feeling better now. Thank you for your concern, Master Yuan."

"That's good." Shen Yuan paused, and seeing Qin Keqing's expression change, he couldn't bring himself to ask the question, because it would be exposing someone's scars after all.

Qin Keqing noticed that Shen Yuan seemed to be hesitant to speak, so she raised her eyes slightly and looked at the young man again, knowing what he wanted to ask.

Seeing Shen Yuan's serious expression, her clear and bright eyes also showed some seriousness. She lifted up her heart again after putting it down before. She pursed her soft lips and said softly: "Master Yuan, if you have anything to ask, just ask. I will definitely not refuse to answer anything I can."

After Shen Yuan heard this, he hesitated for a moment, but still asked, "Did Jia Zhen force you?"

Qin Keqing's heart tightened. She finally heard this question. Her beautiful face showed no expression. She said softly, "More than a month ago, he came to me alone and made some excessive requests, but I rejected them."

Although there was no change in her expression, Qin Keqing's hands were gripping the handkerchief with great force, her knuckles had turned white, and she seemed to want to tear the handkerchief into pieces, and there was a hint of difficulty in her tone.

"After that, I avoided him, but no matter how careful I was, I couldn't escape his pestering. Once, he even wanted to force me. If my wife hadn't happened to come in, I'm afraid..." Qin Keqing recalled the situation on that day and still felt like a nightmare.

At this moment, the sorrow in her heart was expressed, and she was overwhelmed with emotions. Her eyes turned slightly red under her curved brows, and tears welled up in her eyes. Soon, two lines of tears flowed silently, blurring her vision.

At this time, a gray handkerchief was handed over.

"I took the liberty."

Qin Keqing looked at the handkerchief with complicated thoughts. After hesitating for a moment, she stretched out her jade hand, took the handkerchief, and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.

After crying, Qin Keqing's mood stabilized a lot, and her tone of voice became much calmer than before. "Today, someone can listen to me, and I feel much better."

After a pause, she continued, "Although he didn't succeed that time, I know that if this continues, I will definitely not be able to escape his clutches, so..."

"So Miss Qin starved herself to death in protest."

Qin Keqing nodded her head, raised her eyes slightly and looked at Shen Yuan. Her expression became much more relieved, her eyes became gentle, and she said softly, "Fortunately."

Fortunately, Jia Zhen was convicted and exiled, and could never reach out to her again.

Her husband was exiled with Jia Zhen, but why didn't she feel sad at all?

Perhaps it was because that cowardly man was not worth her sadness.

After listening to this, Shen Yuan finally understood the secret and was glad for Qin Keqing that at least she was not tortured by Jia Zhen.

In this "stealing adultery" incident, in addition to Jia Zhen and Qin Keqing, there are two other important characters: Youshi and Jia Rong.

Shen Yuan guessed that it was not a coincidence that Youshi suddenly appeared that day and interrupted Jia Zhen's good deeds.

Perhaps Youshi had already noticed Jia Zhen's intentions, and because she was disgusted by her husband's actions, she pretended to accidentally enter, interrupted Jia Zhen's violent behavior, and saved Qin Keqing.

As for Jia Rong, he must have known about Jia Zhen's bestiality long ago. Perhaps he was frightened by Jia Zhen's tyranny, or he had some other dirty thoughts, but he chose to watch coldly and ignored his wife Qin Keqing, which further encouraged Jia Zhen's bestiality.

It is not unfair at all that such a despicable father and son were used by Emperor Yuanzhen as an example to punish military heroes.

After solving the mystery of adultery in the Red Mansion, Shen Yuan felt more sympathetic towards Qin Keqing.

After a moment's silence, the sad atmosphere faded a little.

Shen Yuan changed the subject and returned to the festive matter: "The Dragon Boat Festival is approaching, but I have no idea how to decorate the house. Can this matter be handed over to Sister You and Miss Qin?"

His parents had passed away and he was alone, so he originally planned to hire three or five matchmakers to help him find a marriage.

Now that we have just moved into the Ning Mansion, and there are two married young women who have been in charge of the affairs of the inner chamber right in front of us, why should we go far away?

On the one hand, it can make him less worried, and on the other hand, it can also be used to give some extra money to the two girls, and it can also dilute the sadness brought to them by recent events. The two of them should be willing to do this.

Sure enough, after hearing this, both Youshi and Qin Keqing smiled.

Youshi said happily, "Of course you can. It's rare for your family to have such a happy event. Keqing and I will do our best to repay Master Yuan for taking me in."

Shen Yuan waved his hand and said with a smile: "Why talk about repaying a favor? I won't let you work in vain, I will pay you."

Qin Keqing retorted, "How can we still live in your house peacefully after hearing what Master Yuan said? We'd better move out earlier to avoid being treated so coldly by Master Yuan."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yuan shook his head helplessly and did not insist on the issue of remuneration.

Unexpectedly, this seemingly delicate and charming woman also has such a stubborn side, which subverts the impression of weakness given to him by the original work.

However, there is still a long way to go, so I will just take care of other things in the future.
After finishing their business, the three of them ate and chatted for a while before going their separate ways.

(End of this chapter)