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

Chapter 49, please read on! I'm dying from keeping this book waiting!
Seeing this, Xue Zhong didn't insist. He smoothly took back the money pouch and stuffed it into his sleeve, thinking to himself: "The Ximen family is indeed more prosperous than rumored. They even refused a fifty-tael thank-you gift. I'll have to properly report this to the mistress when I get back." On the surface, however, he smiled and said, "Sir, you are kind-hearted. I'll go back and report right away."

After Xue Zhong left, Ximen Qing secretly exclaimed "Brilliant!" He had been worrying about finding a pretext to intervene. Just then, Yue Niang entered carrying the account book. Seeing her husband's expression, she couldn't help but ask, "I just heard the servant say someone is seeking medical help. Who is this important person?"

The official chuckled, “It’s the Xue family from the capital, they’re imperial merchants. I saw them at the docks during the day; their daughter suddenly fell ill. Go to the kitchen and tell them to get three qian each of almonds and fritillaria cirrhosa; two snow pears, peeled and cored, cut into diced pieces, and stewed with rock sugar in a double boiler until melted. Keep them warm in a Jun ware pot for me.” Yue Niang didn’t ask any more questions and hurried off to the kitchen.

The official stood up. Although the Xue family, a wealthy merchant family, was declining, even a plum vase used for flower arranging cost five hundred taels. He knew that money wouldn't be enough to bring over the delicate, slightly breathless, and uniquely charming maid Xiangling. After much thought, he decided to start with the medicine from the Tibetan monk he possessed.

As Master Ximen entered the county government compound carrying a vermilion lacquered food box, he saw Xue Zhong, the old servant of the Xue family, waiting under the eaves. Xue Zhong bowed and said, "Greetings, Master! The young lady is coughing badly, and the madam is so worried she's wiping away tears."

As they walked through the corridor, they suddenly heard the sharp sound of porcelain being smashed coming from the west wing. Xue Pan's gruff voice made the window paper tremble: "Even a dog would hate this shabby house! The bed boards are so hard they hurt your back, and the curtains smell musty! I'm going to stay in the superior room outside!"

Madam Xue's cries and curses followed immediately: "What kind of place do you want to live? You wretched child! You're my son, how could I not know your temperament? You caused such a disaster during the day, and now you're going to a brothel at night! Are you trying to drive me to my death? Those two might still be in Qinghe City. Aren't you afraid of being impaled on a bamboo pole to your temple and stabbed to death?"

Xue Pan's voice immediately dropped, but he still stubbornly insisted, "Mother is just a scare freak. That old coffin should have been kicked out long ago." Before he could finish speaking, there was a sound of tables and chairs colliding, indicating that he had been hit.

When Ximen Qing lifted the curtain and entered, he saw broken porcelain scattered all over the floor. Xue Pan was rubbing his arm and grumbling, having kicked a lacquered stool that had rolled far away. When he saw Ximen Qing enter, he suppressed some of his hostility and hastily cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "Thank you for your help during the day, sir! You do have some sense of loyalty! In the future, when you come to the capital, just come to the Xue residence to have a drink with me! I'll let you see the grandeur of Master Xue!"
Without waiting for Ximen Qing's reply, he adjusted the red-gold dragon-patterned belt at his waist, lifted the curtain, and strode out.

Madam Xue hurriedly wiped away her tears and greeted her, saying, "Please forgive my rudeness, I didn't mean to trouble you, but the Cold Fragrance Pills I carry aren't very effective in an emergency." Before she could finish speaking, a porcelain bottle shattered next door with a loud crash, followed by Xiangling's pitiful cries, mixed with the sobs of the other maids. Then, Xue Pan could be heard outside shouting that he wanted to ride out on horseback.

"This wretched creature is going to drive me crazy!!" She cried out in a panic, her golden hairpin trembling wildly. "My benefactor, please go inside and look after my daughter. I'll go and stop that wretched creature!" With that, she turned to chase after him.

Suddenly, as if remembering something, she stopped and looked back at the brocade curtains hanging in the inner room, a hint of hesitation on her face—it was really improper to let a man from outside enter her daughter's boudoir alone in the dead of night.

But then he remembered the intimate contact he'd had with Baochai at the dock during the day when he was saving her; he'd seen, touched, and caressed her body thoroughly. To insist on such formalities now would seem pretentious. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said, "My benefactor, please come in quickly; Baochai is coughing terribly."

Before she could finish speaking, she heard Xue Pan rushing to get his horse again. She thought that if she ran into the old man and the boy again, the Xue family might lose their only son. Without thinking twice, she lifted her skirt and hurriedly chased after them.

Ximen Da Guanren had no choice but to go in himself. Before he even entered the room, he was filled with a warm, humid atmosphere and a faint, alluring scent of sweat, with a slightly seductive muttony smell.

Xue Baochai was lying ill in bed, wearing only a thin, apricot-red silk bodice and matching silk trousers. Because of the heat, her two fair and plump arms were exposed outside the brocade quilt.

Ximen Qing had seen many beauties, all of whom were dazzlingly white, but each had a fleshy base color, some were porcelain white, some were snow white, and some were moon white. But Baochai was a creamy white, as smooth and lustrous as if she were wrapped in a layer of light.

The silk robe was half-soaked with sweat, clinging limply to her body, making her appear even more voluptuous and fleshy than if she were completely naked.

Her face was pale, which only made her skin appear even more plump and creamy. A fine layer of sweat floated on it in the candlelight, so smooth and moist it seemed as if one could squeeze water from it. She was coughing, her chest heaving, her breath coming in soft gasps, when she suddenly heard the curtains rustle. Startled, Baochai hurriedly pulled her exposed arms back under the covers.

This sudden contraction caused the corner of the quilt to slip slightly, revealing the apricot-red bodice, damp with sweat, clinging to her trembling, plump body.

She blushed deeply, her neck turning pink, and hurriedly pulled the blanket up to cover the alluring spring scenery, even shrinking her neck inside, leaving only her dignified, flushed face exposed, creating a striking contrast of allure.

Her movements just now triggered a heart-wrenching cough. Her whole body arched and fell violently under the covers, and even through the thin blanket, one could still see her plump figure, which swayed with the cough.

Her cough made her hair disheveled, with a few strands of black hair sticking to her cheeks, neck, and shoulders with sweat. The black hair was shiny and made her exposed shoulders look creamy white, glistening with a soft, moist sheen.

After his coughing subsided slightly, he said, "I am truly sorry to have troubled you, sir, to come so late at night."

Baochai nodded slightly, her voice soft yet maintaining her composure, though she couldn't help but let out a few soft coughs at the end of her sentence, quickly covering her lips with a handkerchief.

Ximen Qing gently placed the food box on the table and said softly, "Please don't be so polite, young lady. The wind was strong at the dock today; it seems the cold wind has affected your lungs, which is why you're coughing so badly."

Baochai was about to express her gratitude when she couldn't help but cough lightly again. Once she caught her breath, she said softly, "My lord, your skillful hands and kind heart have already filled me with immense gratitude during the day. And now you've gone to so much trouble."

She spoke breathlessly, her voice weak with illness, "I must thank you for taking care of my brother today."

Her breath was unsteady as she spoke, and she coughed twice. "My elder brother has been spoiled by our mother since childhood, and his behavior is often lacking in self-control. If it weren't for your intervention today, sir, he would have been in deep trouble."

Ximen Da Guanren sat down on the embroidered stool beside the couch: "Miss, what are you saying? Brother Xue is young and impetuous, so we should be more tolerant of him. Let me give you a massage first."

Upon hearing this, Baochai's blush returned. Was she going to have to have that embarrassing spot pressed again? Recalling the scene of her treatment during the day, she couldn't help but clutch the edge of the brocade quilt, her voice barely audible: "How can I trouble you, sir, again?" Before she could finish speaking, she coughed lightly, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Ximen Qing said seriously, "Miss, your cough came on suddenly. You need to adjust your breathing." The official replied gently, "I'm afraid I'll have to offend you again."

[Gentlemen! Let's give one more monthly pass!]

(End of this chapter)