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

Chapter 55 The Official's Road to Success

In front of the residence of Grand Tutor Cai in Tokyo.

The vermilion gates and high walls, the menacing stone lions, and the numerous guards created an imposing and suffocating atmosphere. Ordinary people passing by would hold their breath and take a detour.

Lai Bao led Dai An to keep a safe distance, not daring to approach.

Following Master Ximen's instructions, they found an inconspicuous teahouse nearby and sat down, but their eyes were fixed on the tightly closed vermilion door.

He spent money to hire several hangers-on to find out the situation and only dared to wait for them after getting their consistent testimonies.

Finally, at noon on the second day, the target appeared.

Lai Bao's eyes lit up, and he quickly followed. When the steward finished buying the pastries and turned to leave, Lai Bao strode forward, his face beaming, and bowed deeply: "Sir, please wait!"

The steward glanced at him sideways, noticing that his clothes were decent enough, but he had a foreign accent, and asked indifferently, "What is it?"

Lai Bao stepped closer, lowered his voice, and said with a fawning smile, "I have come from Qinghe County on the orders of Master Ximen, to pay my respects to Steward Zhai Qian. I have a letter and some local gifts with me, and I would like to trouble you to inform you."

As he spoke, he discreetly slipped a piece of silver weighing about two ounces, which he had already prepared in his sleeve, into the steward's hand.

The steward weighed the silver in his hand, then glanced sideways at Lai Bao. The arrogance on his face lessened slightly, but he remained indifferent: "Steward Zhai? He's a favorite in the manor! Countless people come to see him every day! Do you think you can just see him whenever you want?"

Lai Bao's smile widened, and he pulled out a piece of silver, about five taels, from his sleeve, presenting it with both hands: "What you say is true, sir! I know that Steward Zhai is a busy man. But my master admires Steward Zhai, and there is also a letter from one of Steward Zhai's old friends!"

"I have come here specifically to pay my respects because I have important matters to discuss with you. I earnestly hope that you will do me the favor and convey my message. This is just a small token of my appreciation; please buy me a cup of tea."

When the manager saw that he had acquired an even larger piece of silver, a smile finally appeared on his face.

He weighed the silver in his hand and said slowly, "Hmm... you seem to know your manners. Very well, for the sake of your master. You wait here for a moment, I'll go in and ask for you. However, I can't guarantee whether Steward Zhai will see you or not!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Thank you, sir! Thank you, sir!" Lai Bao bowed repeatedly, feeling somewhat relieved.

The steward pocketed the silver, turned, and went through the side door. About half an hour later, he leisurely strolled out and beckoned to Lai Bao: "Consider yourself lucky, lad! Steward Zhai happens to be free today and has allowed you to come in and talk. Follow me! Remember, once inside the mansion, don't look around aimlessly, and don't say anything out of line!"

"Yes, yes, yes! I understand! Thank you for your guidance, sir!" Lai Bao was overjoyed and quickly told Dai An to hold the gift box properly. He then took out a two-tael silver coin and stuffed it into the steward's hand: "A little something for you, sir, to buy some wine!"

The steward accepted the money with satisfaction, and then led Lai Bao through a side gate into the deep and mysterious Grand Tutor's mansion.

After winding through several courtyards, we finally arrived at an exquisite little flower hall. The hall was luxuriously furnished and filled with the fragrance of sandalwood. A man of about fifty years old, wearing a dark purple robe with a swastika pattern and a square turban, with a fair complexion and three long wisps of beard, sat in the main chair, slowly sipping tea.

Upon seeing this, Lai Bao immediately rushed forward, knelt down with a thud, and kowtowed repeatedly: "I am Lai Bao, the steward of the Ximen family of Qinghe County, paying my respects to Master Zhai! I wish to greet you, Master!"

Dai An quickly knelt down behind him.

Zhai Qian didn't even lift his eyelids, only grunted an "Mmm" through his nose, slowly put down his teacup, and then glanced at Lai Bao kneeling on the ground.

"Qinghe County? I don't think I've ever heard of that place." Zhai Qian's voice carried a hint of Beijing accent, spoken slowly and deliberately. "So, they're someone of importance?"

"Replying to Your Excellency!" Lai Bao hurriedly said, "My master, Mr. Ximen, has some wealth in Qinghe County and greatly admires Your Excellency! This time, I have come to pay my respects to Your Excellency on my master's orders, firstly to convey my master's greetings, and secondly to offer my master a small token of my appreciation. I hope Your Excellency will accept it with a smile!" After saying this, he quickly presented the gift box.

Zhai Qian then took a proper look at the gilded sandalwood prayer box, nodded slightly, and the servant standing beside him immediately stepped forward to take the box and placed it on the tea table next to Zhai Qian.

Zhai Qian didn't rush to open it. He simply tapped the box lid lightly with his finger and said calmly, "Master Ximen is indeed a man of propriety. However, I am in charge of affairs in this mansion, and my reputation is at stake. The rules above are strict, and such matters concerning outsiders might be inconvenient..." Lai Bao, quick-witted, immediately interjected, "Your Excellency is wise! The master knows that Your Excellency is honest and upright, so he dares not present you with such common gifts. The box contains only some local products from Qinghe County, and he would never dare to disrespect Your Excellency's reputation in the slightest!"

Zhai Qian finally smiled and picked up the gift box. He first picked up the letter written by Wen Shusheng, glanced at it, and then tossed it aside without even opening it.

He picked up the visiting card again, glanced at the gift list, and waved his hand with satisfaction: "Alright. Since Master Ximen is so hospitable, it would seem unreasonable of me to refuse. Please get up and speak."

"Thank you, sir!" Only then did Lai Bao dare to stand up, bowing respectfully, a great weight lifted from his heart. Seeing Zhai Qian's gaze drift towards the gift box beside him, he quickly kicked Dai An.

Dai An dared not get up, and hurriedly opened the small gold clasp on the gift box beside him, lifted the lid and pushed it forward slightly to make it easier for Zhai Qian to look inside.

When Zhai Qian saw the precious light shining from the box and the gleaming silver underneath, his smile became more genuine.

The head steward of the Grand Tutor's mansion was no ordinary person. He had seen and handled countless treasures, and his discerning eye was incredibly sharp. He could tell the value of a good item at a glance without even touching it.

After reading it, his attitude towards Lai Bao softened considerably: "Since your master is a sensible and understanding person, if there is anything in the future that requires my help, as long as it's not too difficult, I will act accordingly and put in a good word for you with the master."

Lai Bao was overjoyed upon hearing this!
Father's great mission is accomplished!

He immediately knelt down again and kowtowed with Dai'an, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Master! Thank you for your kindness, Master! When I return, I will report your golden words to my master without missing a single one! My master will be forever grateful and will never forget your kindness!"

Lai Bao then raised his head again: "The master also said that you, sir, hold a high position and are busy with many affairs every day. If there are any small matters that need to be handled discreetly or that are too troublesome to handle personally, regardless of their size or urgency, you only need to give your word and give me your instructions. The master will definitely handle them properly for you."

As soon as these words came out!
Zhai Qian picked up the celadon teacup, took a slow sip, his eyelids half-closed, as if savoring the aroma of the tea, or perhaps weighing something in his mind.

The hall was filled with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood incense, so quiet that you could hear the sound of a silver needle falling to the ground.

Lai Bao stood respectfully with his hands at his sides, while Dai An knelt on the ground, not daring to breathe loudly, his heart pounding like a drum, waiting for the head steward to speak again.

After a long while, Zhai Qian gently placed the teacup back on the table. The soft "tap" sound made Lai Bao's heart tighten.

Zhai Qian casually brushed away non-existent dust from his robe, his gaze seemingly sweeping over Bao's tense yet hopeful face.

“Hmm… since your master is so sincere,” Zhai Qian drawled, “speaking of which, I just remembered something. The tenth day of the twelfth lunar month next year is the master’s birthday.”

He paused, then slightly raised his eyelids.

"In the capital, as well as in other provinces, the thresholds of the homes of the officials who come to offer their tributes are almost worn out these days, all busy preparing gifts to present to the emperor."

As Zhai Qian spoke, he lightly tapped the smooth lid of the offering box twice with his fingertips, making a soft "tap, tap" sound. His eyes lingered meaningfully on the box. "The old master is very sentimental and considerate of his subordinates. He naturally holds those who know proper etiquette, know when to advance and retreat, and are sincere in their hearts in high regard."

Having said that, Zhai Qian stopped speaking and said no more. He simply glanced at Lai Bao, his eyes seeming to ask, "Do you understand?"

Lai Bao was such a clever and insightful person! These words were like a sudden awakening, or a thunderclap in dry land! He felt a surge of joy rush from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his bones felt several pounds lighter!
"The tenth day of the twelfth lunar month! It's the master's birthday!"

This wasn't just casual conversation; it was clearly a wake-up call, pointing out a direct and lucrative path for his father to climb up to the Grand Tutor of the court!

As long as my father can seize this opportunity and prepare a sincere and respectable birthday gift, which will be presented by Steward Zhai... then will the future of the Ximen family be any different?
The big thing that my uncle had been longing for has not only been accomplished, it's practically a meteoric rise to success!

[Dear readers, on the first day of September, I'm releasing two long chapters. Please give me your monthly votes! Let me try to get a good ranking. If it does well, I'll definitely update more chapters after it's officially released. Thank you!]

(End of this chapter)