Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 21 Uncle Sun

(Special note: This chapter and the following two chapters are conjectures by Sun Guangcheng and Chen Siyuan and do not represent the truth.)
Puzzled, Chen Siyuan left the wing and joined the waiting maid, Hongyu, on their way out. As they exited the Ningguo Mansion's main gate and turned into the private alley, Chen Siyuan noticed that Hongyu seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Yin Shi asked, "Do you have anything to say?"

Hongyu said, "Master, I just heard that Ruizhu, who was with Madam Rong, died after hitting her head against a pillar. There was quite a commotion afterwards."

Ruizhu is dead?

Chen Siyuan responded without saying anything. Ruizhu was Qin Keqing's personal maid. It was understandable that a maidservant would be heartbroken and lost after Qin Keqing's death, but it was somewhat illogical for her to be buried with her. Perhaps she had uncovered some secret, and was therefore murdered to silence her?
Hongyu beside him was about to speak but hesitated. Chen Siyuan came back to his senses and took a look at her. He immediately understood her thoughts and said, "It's someone else's family business after all. Just listen in for the fun."

Hongyu immediately breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Master, what you said makes sense. Even if we are relatives, we are still far apart. Besides... the Ning Mansion is in chaos, so it would be best for you to stay out of it."

Chen Siyuan smiled but said nothing. The two of them returned home through the back door and saw the lights still on in the main room. After sending Hongyu off to rest, Chen Siyuan pushed the door open and entered, where Xiangling came to greet him.

"uncle!"

Chen Siyuan took off his coat, and Xiangling quickly took it. Chen Siyuan said, "Why don't you go to bed earlier?"

Xiangling smiled and shook her head. She sensed a chill coming from Chen Siyuan, so she urged him, "It's already this late, sir. Come into your room and get some sleep. I'll add some more charcoal."

Chen Siyuan allowed Xiangling to help him undress and climb into bed. Xiangling busied herself with adding charcoal to the fire, then went to the hall and made a small gap in the window frame before turning around and entering the house.

Her delicate body slipped into the bed. Just as Chen Siyuan was about to embrace her, Xiangling dodged and said, "Master, I feel cold too."

"It's okay."

Chen Siyuan was also very sleepy, and soon fell asleep while hugging Xiangling.

Xiangling buried her head in Chen Siyuan's chest, stunned for a long moment. Then she reached out and put her arms around his waist. She felt a chill run down her spine, so she gently rubbed her hands together to warm them and applied them to his skin. Suddenly, she, too, fell into a deep sleep, overcome by drowsiness.

The cock crowed three times. Although she was exhausted and her eyelids felt heavy, her mind suddenly jolted awake. She opened her eyes slightly to survey the sky outside, and then she felt something pressing against her back.

Xiangling was puzzled. The old man had clearly taken off his clothes and went to bed last night, so how could he still have a rolled-up book hidden on his body?

Unable to resist her curiosity, Xiangling reached out and grasped it. She froze for a moment, then her pretty face flushed red. Her heart trembled, and she tried to break free from Chen Siyuan's arms, but he held her tightly.

Xiangling shifted slightly, finding space to accommodate him, and finally felt a little better. However, she woke the person behind her, and heard Chen Siyuan groan twice, "What time is it?"

Xiangling said, "It's probably after noon."

Chen Siyuan said, "I was busy all night yesterday, so there's no need to get up so early."

Xiangling bit her lower lip and said, "Then, I'll go tell Hongyu."

Chen Siyuan said vaguely: "No need, Hongyu knows everything."

Xiangling remained silent, her mind a jumble of thoughts. She had been kidnapped as a child, and when she was a little older, her kidnapper hired an aunt to teach her the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Before the kidnapper sold her, Xiangling had even learned some waitressing skills.

As the saying goes, even if you haven't eaten pork, you've seen pigs run. Xiangling was well aware of the unusual situation behind her. In the past few years, she had been living in the Xue family, and Mr. Xue had tried to force himself on her several times. Thanks to Miss Bao and the Madam's care, he hadn't succeeded.

In reality, Xiangling had already resigned herself to her fate, figuring that this day would come sooner or later, so what harm could there be in eating a little earlier? Perhaps being taken in would be easier, perhaps with a maidservant by her side, a few more cents a month, and Master Xue would grow tired of her, giving her more time to read poetry and books.

Unexpectedly, the situation had taken a surprising turn, and now she was with Master Chen. Comparing them, the two were clearly worlds apart. Furthermore, even though it had only been two days, Master Chen had treated her very well. Xiangling couldn't help but feel a bit strange, thinking that even if she were to be handed over now... it would be a good thing.

Thinking of this, Xiangling's left hand reached back and retracted several times, over and over again, and she bit her lower lip to make up her mind.

Chen Siyuan suddenly frowned and groaned, then heard the man in front of him say in a trembling voice: "Master, I... I also know some ways to serve people."

Xiangling turned her head, and her face seemed to be dyed by the morning glow, even the rouge between her eyebrows became a little redder.

Suddenly, Yunxiang, a little maidservant from outside, said, "Sister Xiangling, would the master like some breakfast?"

Xiangling didn't know how to respond, so Chen Siyuan said loudly, "Let Hongyu get it. I'll get up right away."

Yunxiang agreed and left. Chen Siyuan reached out and touched the rouge between Xiangling's eyebrows, and said with a smile, "We'll talk about it tonight. Let's have breakfast first."

Xiangling responded in a whisper, then stood up to help Chen Siyuan get dressed and dressed, then fetched water for him to wash. A moment later, Hongyu returned with a lunch box. Chen Siyuan thoughtfully instructed, "Go to the east courtyard later and ask the eldest lady if she has any instructions."

Hongyu agreed, and after a quarter of an hour she returned, saying, "Master, the first mistress said she has no instructions, so just let you do as you please."

Chen Siyuan nodded, thinking that since today was the third day, he would definitely go out to meet Sun Guangcheng and the others. So after breakfast at noon, Chen Siyuan was about to leave on his own, saying he was going out to visit a friend.

Unexpectedly, before she could even leave the house, the little maid Yunxiang caught up with her.

"uncle--"

Seeing the girl hesitating and looking embarrassed, Chen Siyuan stopped and asked, "Is there something wrong?"

Yunxiang gathered her courage and said, "Master, the first day, the concubine sent a silk shop as an apology."

"Yes."

"Well... now that you've taken over the shop, you should definitely hire your own people. My third sister, Luo Xiang, may not be outstanding, but she's a good hand at managing everything inside and outside. So, would you mind letting me have a go?"

Chen Siyuan asked in surprise, "Isn't your third sister working in the mansion now?"

The little maid Yunxiang pouted and said, "How can it be so easy to get into the Rongguo Mansion? Every job is assigned to a specific position. Even if there is a vacancy, it will be given to the pretty and smart girls. How can my third sister, with her straight hair and straight face, get in?"

It turned out to be the case.

Chen Siyuan said, "I've made note of this. I'll talk about it after I take over the shop."

The little maid Yunxiang pursed her lips and said with a curt bow, "Thank you, sir."

She's so snobbish at such a young age, what will happen if she stays by my side in the future? Chen Siyuan thought about it and told Hongyu to teach this girl a lesson.

He came out from the back door and not far away he saw a carriage for rent, so he took it to the outer city.

At this time, the capital was divided into three parts: the inner city was the Imperial City, the outer city was the Inner City, and the outer city was the Outer City. The government offices were all in the Inner City, and naturally, the residences of the dignitaries were also mostly in the Inner City. The Outer City was a mixed bag, with all kinds of people from all walks of life.

The carriage left the inner city and circled to Bajiao Hutong behind Yuanwang Temple. Chen Siyuan disembarked and circled halfway. Seeing no one was following him, he strode quickly to a small courtyard. He reached out and knocked on the door, and a moment later, a strong male voice asked, "Who is it?"

"Old River."

The gate opened, and the burly bearded man took a quick look and frowned, "Where's the show?"

"If you lose the wind, go inside and talk."

The big man waited for him to enter and quickly closed the door. Then he looked at Chen Siyuan warily with a sidelong glance and led him inside.

On the left side of the Eight Immortals Table in the main hall, a man sat upright. He looked to be about forty years old, with an immortal-like appearance. His eyes were particularly sharp, and when he glanced over, a gleam of light shone in them.

Chen Siyuan stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Uncle Sun."

"Yeah." Sun Guangcheng nodded.

The big man took two steps to Sun Guangcheng's side and whispered, "He just said that Liu Yan'er had lost her composure."

Sun Guangcheng slowly lit his pipe and exhaled smoke, saying, "Nephew, it's not even been three days, and you've already tricked Liu Yan'er?"

Chen Siyuan grinned and gloated, "She's just unlucky on her own, what does it have to do with me?"

　Special note: This chapter is the conjecture of Sun Guangcheng and Chen Siyuan and does not represent the truth.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)