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

Chapter 21 A woman’s thoughts

Ximen Qing laughed and said, "This heart can only hold me, but what about the other heart?"

Li Jiao'er rolled her eyes at Ximen Qing: "Your heart is completely filled with your affections."

Earl Ying watched with envy, but dared not disturb him. He could only pour himself a glass of wine, then put his arm around the former courtesan, muttering, "Well, well, with Sister Jiao'er around, we're all just decorations..."

The three female fans could only force a smile, but in their hearts they cursed Li Jiao'er for always stealing the spotlight.

For a time, the "Hidden Spring Pavilion" was filled with the aroma of wine, the scent of cosmetics, and the sounds of men and women flirting.

Li Jiao'er held another cup of wine to Ximen Qing's lips: "My lord, you look so happy today. Could it be that you've acquired a new 'slender horse' from Yangzhou and forgotten your old one for the new?"

Ximen Qing drank half a cup from her hand, then casually pinched it: "How can a skinny horse compare to your muscular body?"

Li Jiao'er feigned refusal, instead pressing herself against his elbow: "The other day I dreamt that you, sir, rode a tall horse, carrying gilded chests and trunks..."

As she spoke, she gazed at Master Ximen with deep affection.

There's a saying that prostitutes are heartless and actors are ungrateful.

But when a prostitute pretends to be sincere, she can be truly terrifying.

Upon hearing her mention marrying him, Master Ximen quickly removed the faded cloisonné hairpin from her hair: "Look how faded it is. Have Dai'an send a new kingfisher feather hairpin tomorrow."

Li Jiao'er scoffed, "What's the use of a kingfisher feather hairpin? A bride's gold-threaded crown is what's truly elegant!"

Ximen Qing chuckled and touched the handkerchief around her waist: "You little slut, I'll reward you with a crown and a coat tomorrow!"

Meanwhile, here, Master Ximen was drinking and carousing.

At that time, in the bedroom of the East Mansion, the brocade curtains were still drawn low, and there was no sound.

Jia Zhen lay on his back on the couch, his eyes closed, fast asleep.

Madam You sat on the footstool on the edge of the bed, clutching a worn handkerchief in her hand, her brows furrowed, looking at her husband in this state, her heart filled with worry.

Despite the doctor's promise to wake him up, he has not woken up yet after all these days.

You can only feed them rice porridge.

So they invited the royal physician Wang Jiren, who often visited the Jia family, to come with his medicine bag.

This imperial physician was extremely cautious and tactful, well aware of the strict rules and regulations of noble families, and dared not be negligent in taking the pulse and examining the patient.

He held his breath and carefully examined Jia Zhen's pulse in both hands, and also observed his complexion and tongue coating.

He cupped his hands to Madam You and said, “Madam, Master Zhen’s illness is caused by a sudden metal wound, which caused shock to the marrow and internal obstruction of blood, blocking the clear orifices. Observing his pulse, it is deep, hesitant and wiry, especially weak in the cun position. This is a sign of obstruction of the meridians, disorder of qi and blood, and disturbance of the mind.”

"He must rest quietly and avoid moving or disturbing him. The room should be sheltered from wind, light, and noise. For now, feed him rice soup and ginseng soup slowly. Once he is more alert, he can start eating some light liquid food. He should wake up within a few days, and the blood stasis will dissipate and his orifices will open."

Lady You repeatedly expressed her gratitude: "It's all thanks to Physician Wang's miraculous healing! I'll double the consultation fee and medicine payment! Silver Butterfly, please take good care of Physician Wang!"

After seeing off Physician Wang, they departed.

Madam You straightened up, let out a long sigh, and her forehead was covered with fine beads of sweat.

Just as she was about to call for someone to fetch water to wash her hands, she looked up and saw a shadowy figure standing outside the beaded curtain.

It was her daughter-in-law, Qin Keqing.

Her face was bare of makeup, her complexion was as pale as paper, her lips were almost bloodless, and her eyes, like autumn water, were lowered.

A touch of gentleness, a touch of allure.

This only made her figure appear even more timid and delicate.

She's so pitiful to look at!

Even I, a woman, was so amazed by it; one can only imagine how stunning it must be for this old philanderer lying there.

She was aware of her son's hidden illness.

Yu's heart sank suddenly.

The previous incident at Tianxianglou, where someone was caught cheating, turned out to be a false alarm.

But the thorn in Lady You's heart could never be removed. After so many years of marriage with Jia Zhen, how could she not know her husband's habits?

How could she not know the despicable thoughts in her husband's heart?
At first, it was only because her husband arranged for Rong'er to marry Qin Keqing that she was able to cover up her son's hidden illness.

They shifted the blame for infertility onto Qin Keqing.

But whenever she saw that old philanderer's lustful eyes fixed on Qin Keqing, Madam You felt like she had a thorn in her side.

He felt both humiliated and an indescribable aversion and resentment towards his overly beautiful daughter-in-law.

If she weren't so stunningly beautiful, how could she have captivated this old philanderer?
Seeing her standing there quietly, Madam You felt a surge of inexplicable anger mixed with an indescribable unease rising within her.

Her face turned cold as she said to the curtain, "I'll take care of your father-in-law here. You've always been frail, why are you standing here? You might catch a cold and go back home. Go back to your room and rest! Don't come here unless it's absolutely necessary."

Hearing the cold tone, Qin Keqing responded softly, "Yes, Madam."

He turned around silently, his steps unsteady, and quietly slipped away.

Returning to her beautifully furnished yet chilly room, Qin Keqing felt as if all her strength had been drained away.

This magnificent mansion, yet my heart is cold and desolate.

The wife's undisguised disgust, and the father-in-law's ever-present, nauseatingly covetous gaze.

And then there's her incompetent husband; the gossip in both mansions is suffocating her.

Just then, a series of unsteady footsteps, accompanied by a strong smell of alcohol, rushed in from outside. It was Jia Rong who had returned.

His hat was askew, his belt was askew, his face was flushed, and his eyes were unfocused, clearly indicating that he had drunk his fill of wine outside again.

Qin Keqing forced herself to get up and went to greet him, saying softly, "Master is back? Why did you drink so much wine again? Be careful not to hurt yourself." As she spoke, she reached out to help him.

Jia Rong flung his arm away and mumbled indistinctly, "Don't... don't mind me... annoying..."

He staggered and bypassed Qin Keqing, heading straight for the study. He slammed the study door shut with a loud bang, followed by a muffled thud as something heavy fell to the ground and deafening snoring.

Qin Keqing's outstretched hand froze in mid-air, her fingertips icy cold.

Since marrying into the Ningguo Mansion and becoming the eldest grandson's wife, Jia Rong has always treated her with such cold indifference and distance, as politely as if she were a stranger.

Furthermore, due to his own unspeakable hidden illness, the marriage was merely a formality.

She, Qin Keqing, was nothing more than a decorative piece in this Duke's mansion, which was all show and no substance.

As night deepened, the candlelight flickered, casting swaying shadows on the wall.

Qin Keqing lay alone on the large, cold canopy bed.

As she tossed and turned in bed, a face that was both alluring and handsome suddenly appeared in her mind.

Perhaps that Master Ximen could get some secret medicine that can cure men's hidden ailments and restore their virility?

If it could help my husband...

At least, it can silence the gossip and also... put an end to her father-in-law's delusional fantasies.
outside the window.

A crescent moon quietly climbed up, its pale light casting a melancholy glow.

But then they returned to Master Ximen.

The group toasted and laughed intimately, and drank several more rounds of wine.

During the banquet, amidst the clinking of glasses, Earl Ying used all his wit and humor to crack jokes.

The two unfamiliar hangers-on gradually relaxed, chatting and drinking without stopping, and taking turns to urge their respective female fans to drink and flatter them.

Li Jiao'er used every trick in the book, leaning against Ximen Qing's chest, sometimes feeding him a piece of fruit, sometimes feeding him wine mouth-to-mouth.

As the wine flowed more and more freely, the smile on Ximen Qing's face gradually faded.

He patted Li Jiao'er's thigh, then winked at Ying Bojue, cleared his throat and said, "Alright, we've had enough of the wine. You take these girls out first, I have a few important things to say to Ying Bojue."

(End of this chapter)