The splendor of the Red Chamber, the power that reigns supreme.

Chapter 106 Visiting Wang Zhaoxuan

Gui Jie nestled in Ximen Qing's warm embrace, feeling the rise and fall of his firm chest. The shock, fear, ecstasy, and submission she had just experienced surged within her, and for a moment she didn't know where to begin. She could only choke out intermittently, incoherently:

“Master…that Mrs. Lin…this servant…this servant will do as you command…”

She spoke faster and faster, explaining in detail how to read between the lines, how to flatter before getting to the point, and how to use both soft and hard tactics.

Before long, the familiar gatehouse of Lichun Courtyard, with a few ambiguous red lanterns hanging on it, appeared on the street corner.

The warmth and illusory sense of belonging that Gui Jie felt in her heart vanished instantly when she saw that familiar doorway, as if pricked by a needle.

He still didn't bring himself back to the Ximen mansion.
Her body stiffened involuntarily in Ximen Qing's arms. The passion that had been boiling over by the word "master" was now like being doused with cold water, and a chill crept up her body again.

Those vermilion gate towers and swaying lanterns, seen in the dead of night, are the quagmire she cannot escape, the mark of her lowliness.

Ximen Da Guanren naturally noticed the sudden stiffness of the person in his arms and the almost inaudible sigh.

He lowered his head, and by the dim light of the distant lanterns, watched Gui Jie'er's profile dim in an instant, her expression filled with despair and resignation. He understood, and chuckled softly, "Don't look so down. Go back and pack up your belongings, then find an auspicious day..."

He paused, watching Gui Jie'er's eyes suddenly lift and light up with disbelief, before slowly uttering the most crucial sentence: "I brought you out. I'll empty this filthy place so you won't feel discouraged when you see it!"

Boom!

Gui Jie felt as if a thunderbolt, louder and brighter than before, exploded in her mind! The blood that had just cooled down suddenly ignited again with a heat a hundred or a thousand times greater! It burned her whole body, made her vision blur, and almost made her faint on horseback!

"Master!!" This cry was devoid of her previous panic and hesitation. She abruptly turned around, disregarding that they were on horseback, and gripped Ximen Qing's robe tightly with both hands. Her face, flushed with ecstasy, was upturned, and her voice trembled uncontrollably.

"This servant...this servant will go back right away! I'll pack right away! I only beg you, my master...I only beg you, my master...please don't deceive this poor soul...come and take me away soon..."

She was incoherent, as if a drowning person had finally grabbed a boulder on the shore and wanted to stick their whole body to it. Her whole being, even her bones, exuded a kind of vitality that seemed to have come back to life from the ashes, a vitality that had escaped death.

The next day, Ximen Qing got up very early, washed and dressed, wearing a hat with tassels, a dark brocade robe with dark patterns, and black boots with pink soles. He was dressed neatly.

He summoned his two personal servants, Dai'an and Ping'an, along with two capable household servants, Lai Xing and Lai Wang, and a dozen or so strong guards, making a total of about twenty men. He prepared a fine horse, and Ximen Qing mounted it.

Behind them, servants carried heavy loads filled with various seasonal fruits, fine silks, and three hundred taels of silver covered with a bright red handkerchief with gold embroidery. The procession made its way to Wang Zhaoxuan's residence.

Before even reaching the mansion, a cacophony of noise could be heard from afar. There stood the same group of ruffians and scoundrels from yesterday, still jumping up and down and shouting insults at the gate, their language foul and unbearable to hear.

There were also those lazybones who simply sat on the ground, slapping their thighs, and started ranting about the Wang family's ancestors for eight generations. Just as they were getting into the swing of their rant, they suddenly looked up and saw Ximen Qing and his entourage arriving in great style. They were immediately as if they had seen a living Buddha.

The two leaders quickly shut their mouths, dusted the dirt off their backsides, and plastered on their obsequious smiles. They swarmed forward, bowing low and shouting incoherently:

"Oh my! Master Ximen is here!" "We kowtow to Master Ximen!" "May Master Ximen be blessed with good fortune and peace!"

The high-ranking official swiftly tucked the gilded Sichuan fan into his sleeve, then, still on horseback, bowed to the group of filthy scholars, a warm smile spreading across his face, and proclaimed in a loud voice:
"Brothers, you've done a great job! Yesterday, you cheered me on, your voices echoing far and wide. You've truly been a great help! Ximen Qing thanks you all!"

That one word, "brother," and that one word, "thank you," were like a bucket of cold water poured into boiling oil, instantly causing an uproar!
Those hooligans, who were usually bossed around like dirt, had never received such treatment from Ximen, the richest man in Qinghe County and a big shot in the government office. It was truly like the sun rising in the west!
The leaders were so shocked their jaws nearly dropped, and they didn't know what to do with their hands and feet. They hurriedly bowed and stammered, "Oh, my lord! We are so ashamed!"

"Your words are invaluable, sir. That one word, 'brother,' makes us feel so light our backs have lifted!"

"Serving you, sir, is a blessing we have accumulated over eight lifetimes. How could we possibly accept a word of thanks!"

"Your Excellency is like a second parent to us! Whether we're in water or fire, you're our savior!"

For a time, the horse was surrounded by the clamor of these scoundrels, who were flattered and moved to tears. Their fawning words were even louder than when they had cursed the Wang family, elevating Ximen Qing to the highest heavens.

Ximen Da Guanren listened with a smile from his horse, then waved his hand and said, "Alright, alright, no need for formalities. I know you brothers have worked hard here, your throats are dry and your bellies are rumbling. So, I specially prepared some rough food to 'moisten your throats, relieve fatigue, and fill your stomachs and warm your bodies,' to share with everyone as a small token of my appreciation. Please don't find it offensive."

Before he finished speaking, the clever Dai'an already understood and stepped forward carrying Ping'an and two heavy food boxes.

Dai'an lifted the lid of the food box, revealing steaming hot food with a fragrant aroma.

A large stack of freshly baked, golden-brown and crispy sesame flatbreads, still piping hot; several large packages of braised pig's head, wrapped in oil paper, glistening with a dark brown color, the fat and lean meat glistening with oil, the juices seeping out;
There were also several strings of large coins tied with hemp rope, each string containing about a hundred coins, heavy, golden, and jingling.

"This is a small token of my gratitude; please distribute it among yourselves," the official said with a smile.

The group of hooligans watched longingly, their throats bobbing and mouths watering. When it was someone's turn, they would hurriedly extend their greasy, black hands and carefully take the item.

First, take that string of coins, weigh it in your hand, and listen to the crisp clinking of the coins; a smile will spread across your face. Then, hold the oily braised meat and the hot sesame cakes; the aroma wafts straight into your nostrils, and your stomach is already rumbling with hunger.

"Thank you for your generous reward, sir!"

"My lord is truly a living bodhisattva descended to earth!"

"Our worthless lives belong to you, sir!"

"Don't worry, sir, we'll take care of the Wang family's matter!"

Ximen Qing took out his folding fan again and said calmly, "Everyone, please go and rest under the shade of the trees over there. If things go smoothly inside, that's fine. But if you don't know what's good for you..." Before he could finish speaking, he merely gestured with his fan towards the gate of the Prince's Mansion.

Having received their money and provisions, the ruffians were eager to pledge their loyalty, each thumping their chests loudly: "Rest assured, sir! We understand!"

"At your command, Your Majesty, we'll trample the threshold of this Prince's mansion flat!"

"I guarantee they'll be thrown into chaos, never to have a moment's peace again!"

Ximen Qing then nodded slightly.

Seeing that the group of hooligans obediently retreated to the base of the wall and under the shade of the trees, some squatting and some sitting, only glancing at this side, no longer daring to make a loud noise.

He then dismounted, straightened his clothes, and gave a wink. Lai Xing'er, already holding a large red and gold-embroidered visiting card, stepped forward and, facing the tightly closed gates of the Prince's mansion, loudly and clearly proclaimed:
"The esteemed official of Ximen in Qinghe County, with a small gift, respectfully inquires of Prefect Wang Zhaoxuan! Greetings—in—read!"

The sound carried far through the streets and alleys in the early morning, exuding an air of order and authority.

The gatekeeper of the Prince's mansion, perhaps having already received instructions or intimidated by the commotion outside, heard the announcement and heard hurried footsteps inside. Soon after, the heavy vermilion gate creaked open halfway.

Ximen Qing was led into the hall and waited.

A moment later, the tinkling of jade pendants could be heard, like pearls striking each other, and a faint fragrance of agarwood mixed with the elegant scent of orchids and musk wafted out from behind the screen.

The official stood up and looked over.

Behind the screen, a beautiful woman emerged gracefully, supported by her maid's jade-like wrist.

This is Madam Lin of Zhaoxuan Prefecture.

She wore a five-phoenix crown adorned with red gold and kingfisher feathers, with a bright pearl the size of a lotus seed trembling and hanging in front of her forehead, exuding the majesty of a noble lady.

She wore a half-new, half-old cloud satin robe with long sleeves. The material was thin and light, and the outline of the moon-white inner garment could be faintly seen through it. The collar and sleeve edges were densely embroidered with lotus patterns in twisted gold thread, which was very luxurious. However, a sharp eye could see that some of the gold thread had come loose.

She wore a dark satin skirt with visible stitches at the hem, and a jade belt around her waist accentuated her full figure, making her chest appear even higher and her posture more graceful.

She wore light makeup, her eyebrows were delicately painted, and her lips were dotted with vermilion. Although she was over thirty, she looked like she was in her twenties. Her demeanor was calm and composed, exuding the elegance of someone who had long held a position of power, which was incomparable to that of an ordinary woman.

Yet this was a woman who was appointed by imperial decree as a third-rank noblewoman.

She was clearly trying her best to maintain the dignified demeanor of a noblewoman, but her mature and charming womanhood was impossible to hide.

Although she was a voluptuous woman, she was just right; any more would be cloying, any less would be dry.

Her cheeks were full and fair, with a rosy glow from being pampered. Her eyes, as they moved, inadvertently exuded a languid and watery charm.

Especially when she met the gaze of the high-ranking official, her full lips unconsciously pursed slightly, revealing a coquettish charm of wanting to refuse but also welcoming.

That familiar affection had long permeated every inch of her plump body, transforming into an indescribable and unconsciously mature and charming aura in her eyebrows, eyes, and every gesture.

As soon as Mrs. Lin stepped into the hall, her gaze met that of the man standing there. It was Ximen Qing:

He wore a tasseled hat, a parrot-patterned robe, and a dark brocade vest with subtle patterns. He had a delicate jade belt around his waist and black boots with pink soles. He was tall and strong, with a face as white as powder. His eyes, when he occasionally raised them, carried a hook-like evil aura and heat, sweeping straight over you.

Mrs. Lin felt her heart skip a beat, as if she had been burned by that gaze, and her ears burned first.

Having lived a lonely and desolate life as a widow for over a decade, she had never seen such a dashing and charming man with a touch of wickedness. Forcing herself to remain calm, she took the hand of her maid and walked to the main seat, where she sat down gracefully. She noticed that her palms were slightly sweaty, and she even found herself breathing a little heavily.

(End of this chapter)