The Heavens Begin with Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 111 How can domestic flowers be as fragrant as wild flowers?

Mr. Zhan has been quite free these days, so he comes to visit Li Gongcai every night, and so...

"vomit……"

Li Wan woke up from her dream again and lay on the edge of the bed vomiting violently.

Suyun came over in a hurry to look after her again. Seeing her like this, she blurted out:

"Grandma, you have to listen to me this time. I'll call the doctor when it gets light!"

Li Wan waved her arms hastily, retching and trying to stop him:

"No, Suyun, don't worry, ugh... this is probably because my stomach is not feeling well, it will be fine in a few days."

Suyun became extremely anxious upon seeing this. She wiped her mouth with a handkerchief while muttering to herself.

"This isn't the first or second time. He must be sick. How can a disease heal on its own without taking medicine?"

Li Wan was reluctant to tell her that the food would be fine after she got used to the taste after eating it a few times, so she hesitated and didn't say anything, but just forbade her to go see a doctor.

This time Suyun would no longer listen to her. If something happened to her master, she, the personal maid, would also be in trouble.

After daybreak, Suyun called the gatekeeper and asked them to tell Madam Wang to send for the imperial physician.

When Mrs. Wang heard that Li Wan was ill, she hurried over to visit her. After hearing about Li Wan's symptoms, she couldn't help but frown.

This disease...why does it sound so much like pregnancy?

Moreover, Suyun said that Li Wan insisted not to let her see the imperial physician, which made Mrs. Wang even more suspicious.

Mrs. Wang had previously been suspicious of Li Wan's self-appointment as the head of the courtyard, and now her suspicions are even greater.

Soon, the imperial physician came over and Mrs. Wang hurriedly asked him to take her pulse.

The old doctor first asked about the symptoms for a long time, then stroked his beard and took Li Wan's pulse for a long time, but he still couldn't figure out what disease Li Wan had. In the end, he had to prescribe some mild medicine to reduce heart fire and regulate the spleen and stomach.

Li Wan knew, of course, that she wasn't seriously ill, and she didn't want to take the bitter medicine, but she couldn't do anything, so she had to grit her teeth and endure it.

The old doctor said goodbye and left the house. Mrs. Wang stood up to see him off. She took the opportunity to take the old doctor to a secluded place alone, handed him a silver ingot, and then quietly asked:
"Doctor Lin, we are old friends. Please tell me the truth. What is the condition of my wife?"

Doctor Lin took the money, considered his words, and said cautiously:

"From the pulse condition, it seems that the excessive heart fire has caused the stomach qi to rise. It's not a serious illness and it will be fine after some treatment."

"Well..." He hesitated for a moment and then added, "The main thing is to make the patient feel at ease and not too anxious."

After hearing this, Mrs. Wang breathed a sigh of relief, but she was still a little worried. After hesitating for a moment, she whispered, "What are you doing?"

"Are you sure it's not a pregnancy pulse?"

Doctor Lin often came to the Jia Mansion to see patients, and he was very familiar with Li Wan's widowhood. He was shocked when he heard this question. He did not dare to get involved in the chaos of this wealthy and powerful family, so he waved his hand and said:
"At least there is no sign of pregnancy pulse yet, but... pregnancy pulse usually takes about two months to feel out, maybe now is still short, it is possible."

He didn't dare to say anything definite, for fear of making a wrong judgment and being implicated.

There are so many dirty things going on in the homes of the powerful and wealthy, so it is best to speak impartially and in a moderate way.

After hearing this, Mrs. Wang was worried and said:
"Since it's not a pregnancy pulse, I'm relieved. Doctor Lin, please come back for a follow-up examination in a few days."

Doctor Lin only needed to look at Madam Wang's frown to know that she was not at all reassured. He wanted to refuse, but had no suitable excuse, so he had to agree first. He decided to claim illness next time and let his little apprentice come to take the blame.

After sending the imperial physician away, Mrs. Wang became extremely angry and became more and more worried that something might have happened between Baoyu and Li Wan.

Although she had no evidence, what evidence did she need to teach her son a lesson?
She made up a random excuse, called Baoyu over and scolded him again.

Poor Baoyu, he is so innocent, but in his mother's eyes he has become a villain like Cao Cao!

After scolding, Mrs. Wang began to think that it would be better for Baoyu to get married and have children as soon as possible. Otherwise, if he really had an illegitimate child, even if it was not with her sister-in-law, it would be a scandal.

Her favorite was still Xue Baoqin, and the second master of the Xue family was also very capable. He took the initiative to "borrow" a sum of money from the Jia family to help build the Grand View Garden.

After some indirect inquiry, she discovered that the second master of the Xue family was not at all disgusted by the relationship between Baoqin and Baoyu, and was happy to see it happen.

This is even more to her liking!
The only problem now is that the old lady still likes Daiyu, and Daiyu's ability to foresee the future is truly amazing, so it is not easy to change the old lady's mind.

Mrs. Wang thought about it for a long time and felt that getting married was not that easy, so she might as well put it aside for now. However, Baoyu would have to arrange for a personal maid to sleep with him.

I guess now that he has a woman by his side, he won't always be thinking about his sister-in-law, right?

Because of the pornographic picture incident, Mrs. Wang drove out all the beautiful maids around Baoyu. The ones she later arranged to take over were not ugly, but their looks were not outstanding either.

She wanted to find a few more pretty girls in the mansion and arrange them for Baoyu, but she found that all the pretty maids in the mansion had already used their connections to run to the Zhan Mansion.

Master Zhan was very generous. He directly bought the indentures of these maids at a high price. Now it is difficult to ask for them even if they want them.

If it were in the past, she could have given the maidservants around her to Baoyu, but the sisters Jinchuaner and Yuchuaner were given to Master Zhan, and now only Caiyun and Caixia were relatively capable. If she gave them away, she would have no smart people around her, which would not be appropriate.

So Mrs. Wang started to think about getting the four maids who originally served Baoyu back, but after careful consideration, she found that this was not easy to do.

Xiren is now Rong'er's aunt, so it is impossible for her to come back.

Qingwen was poisoned and mute and driven out of the mansion. Even if she wanted to come back, her family would not allow her to return.

Qiu Wen was taken away by Master She. It was said that she was with Yingchun and had been enjoyed by Master Zhan, so she would not come back.

Only Musk Moon had never lost her virginity when she was with her own concubine, Tanchun, so it was just right for her to come back and be given to Baoyu.

So Mrs. Wang did not discuss it with Tanchun, but directly sent someone to pass the message, asking Musk Moon to return to Crimson Yunxuan to serve Baoyu.

When Tanchun suddenly learned the news, she was shocked and angry.

Now that the two families are at odds, Tanchun should have withdrawn from the competition for the Zhan family's legitimate wife long ago, but she is unwilling to give in. Under the instigation of Aunt Zhao, she is still secretly in collusion with Master Zhan and has a lingering connection with him.

If this issue is investigated, it can be a big deal or a small deal.

To put it simply, it's just a little girl's mischief.

But to put it in a broader sense, it is immoral and shameless!
Now all the personal maids around Tanchun have been given to Mr. Zhan for his use, but it is not yet the turn of Musk Moon because she has never been trusted by him.

But having been by her side for so long, Musk Moon is not stupid, how could she not know anything about these things?

Moreover, in order to send her out to win over Mr. Zhan in the future, Tanchun would intentionally or unintentionally leak a little information to her to test her reaction.

However, Musk Moon did not have any excessive reaction and it was obvious that she did not reject it in her heart.

Originally, this was good enough and everything was going well, but I don’t know what my wife was thinking. Why did she want to transfer Musk Moon back?

If Musk Moon was still her maid, she would definitely not dare to say anything. She was fully confident that she could control Musk Moon. But if Musk Moon left her side and became someone else's maid, it would be difficult to shut her mouth.

Tanchun wanted to go to the lady to argue and keep Musk Moon, but after hesitating for a long time, she had no choice but to give up.

Because of different identities!

She was just a concubine's daughter, while Baoyu was a legitimate son.

Musk Moon was originally Baoyu's maid. When the three women were competing for a husband, one of them was assigned to Baoyu in order to increase the competitiveness of her family. Now that the winner has been decided, it is reasonable to transfer her back. She could not find any reason to refute this.

However, Tanchun was willing to give up, but Aunt Zhao was not!

After hearing this news, Aunt Zhao immediately raised her eyebrows, stamped her feet and cursed:
"Good-for-nothing little hoof!"

"You only lose your temper with me. When you see the people from the big house, you lower yourself and dare not even fart!"

"Since Musk Moon knows something she shouldn't know, we can't let her go no matter what. Otherwise, wouldn't that mean we're handing the evidence against our family to someone else?"

"What do you mean by ignoring me? You can just say whatever you want to say."

"Look at my mother!"

After saying this, Aunt Zhao rolled up her sleeves and rushed angrily to her master's courtyard - she didn't dare to provoke Madam Wang!

However, as a professional whose skills are all focused on coaxing men, she naturally knows how to persuade men.

Of course, you have to pick on the weak. When you have Mr. Zheng, a soft persimmon who is easily influenced by others, why would you bother with Mrs. Wang, that shrew?
Tanchun couldn't stop Aunt Zhao, so she had to chase after her to prevent her from making things worse and implicating herself again.

When Aunt Zhao reached the gate of the courtyard, she stopped, closed her eyes to calm herself, then let out a dry howl and rushed into the courtyard.

"Master...I can't live any longer..."

"Huan'er is your own flesh and blood after all. Even if he is not your legitimate son, you shouldn't be so partial to him..."

With such lines, not only was Mr. Zheng inside confused, but even Tanchun outside the door was also bewildered.

Didn’t Aunt Zhao go to ask for Musk Moon?

What's the matter with Guan Huansan?
"What trouble has Huan'er gotten into again?" Master Zheng asked coldly.

After being puaed by Aunt Zhao so many times, Master Zheng has developed antibodies and will not believe everything Aunt Zhao says.

However, Aunt Zhao has spent her entire life studying her own master, and now she is also an evolved form. When she heard Master Zheng asking the question, she fell to the ground, hugged Master Zheng's legs and howled:

"Huan'er is getting older now, and I don't expect him to pass the imperial examinations. But I just want to find him a concubine so that he can live a stable life and raise children for the Jia family. But why are you so cruel, Master, that you don't even allow him to have a concubine... Woo woo woo..."

"What, what concubine?" Master Zheng didn't understand at all and had no idea what concubine Zhao was talking about.

Aunt Zhao sobbed and wiped her tears and said:
"Huan'er went to the Zhan Mansion to study before, but the master later said she was not allowed to go anymore, so she was called back to the mansion and was not allowed to go out."

"I thought that since the master would not allow him to study better than Baoyu, I would just let him marry and have children, so as to expand the family."

"But Master Bao hasn't married yet, so it's not appropriate for his younger brother to get married first. So I thought of finding him a concubine to take care of him first, which is better than him teasing cats and dogs all day long and not learning his lesson."

"But you are so cruel, Master, that you don't even allow Lian Huan'er to find a concubine..."

Master Zheng was almost annoyed by her crying, so he shouted angrily:
"What nonsense are you talking about?"

"If Huan'er wants to learn, can't she learn in the mansion? Why should she go to the Zhan Mansion to learn?"

"What does this have to do with Baoyu?"

"Master wishes they could all pass the imperial examinations!"

"And what are you talking about, aunt or not? What the hell is that? You're so old, but you can't speak clearly. You're talking nonsense..."

After hearing this, Aunt Zhao wiped her tears and asked:
"Hearing what Master said, I will find a concubine for Huan'er among the maids in the mansion. Master, do you have any objection?"

Master Zheng blurted out:
"She's just a concubine. It's not a bad thing. Why should I object?"

Aunt Zhao stiffened her neck and shouted:

"But the Madam would not allow it, and took away the maidservant that Huan'er had taken a fancy to, and gave her to Baoyu!"

"If Madam really likes this girl, it would be fine. It would be much better for her to be a concubine to Master Bao's legitimate son than to be a concubine to Huan'er, a concubine whose father and mother don't love her. I won't hinder her future. But Madam doesn't even give her a status. She just wants Sheyue to be Master Bao's maid."

Master Zheng frowned when he heard Aunt Zhao's reversal of cause and effect.

Of course he knew that the two women in his backyard did not get along with each other and fought with each other all the time. He was too lazy to care and as long as they did not go too far, he pretended not to know.

He didn't doubt at all that Aunt Zhao was lying, because whether such a thing was true or not would be known by asking, and Mrs. Wang was really capable of doing such a thing, not for any benefit, but just to make things difficult for Aunt Zhao and disgust her.

Mr. Zheng has always regarded himself as a disciple of a saint and is a typical corrupt scholar.

The more he couldn't get into the Confucian world, the more he liked the Confucianism's elaborateness, such as the Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues, moral ethics, etc., which he often talked about. If Lady Wang really took her brother's woman and gave her to her brother, it would be unethical.

"What do you mean by father doesn't love you and mother doesn't care about you? That's just nonsense!"

Master Zheng had a gloomy face, snorted coldly, and asked:

"What's the maid's name?"

Aunt Zhao raised her eyebrows and answered without hesitation:
"My name is Musk Moon."

"She was originally Baoyu's roommate, but Baoyu didn't like her, so she was sent out and assigned to serve in Tanchun's room. That's how she met Huan'er and they fell in love with each other. The only thing missing was the master's assignment."

After hearing this, Master Zheng waved his hand and called a servant over, saying:
"Go to the front and ask the Madam what's going on with that Musk Moon? Is she going to take a concubine for Baoyu?"

The servant ran out quickly and came back soon to report:

"Madam said that Master Bao is old now and needs a woman to serve him in his room, but not a concubine."

After hearing this, Master Zheng waved his hand and said:
"Huan'er has taken a fancy to Sheyue and wants to take her as a concubine. I have already agreed, Master. Please ask her to arrange another candidate for Baoyu!"

After hearing this, Aunt Zhao's anger turned into joy. She got up and rubbed Master Zheng's arms and legs, being very attentive.

Master Zheng accepted her service calmly, looked at her with a squinting eye, and sneered:

"Humph, I treat everyone equally. Don't ever say those nonsense about your father not loving you or your mother not caring about you again!"

Aunt Zhao smiled charmingly and agreed:
"I have long known that Master treats everyone equally, so I deliberately said this to provoke Master."

"If the master is angry, he will punish me severely at night."

"So that the master can know, I secretly had someone at the Zhan Mansion order a new set of tight clothes, so that the master can enjoy them tonight."

When Master Zheng was teased by Aunt Zhao, his cerebellum suddenly became congested and he forgot all the displeasure he had just felt.

It’s a pity for Mrs. Wang. She didn’t even understand anything, but she had already suffered a crushing defeat. She didn’t even know how or where she lost.

But in this family, Master Zheng has the final say. He said that he would marry Musk Moon to Jia Huan as his concubine. That was the final decision and could not be changed. Mrs. Wang had no choice but to think of another way.

Finally, she thought about it for a long time and remembered the maids who were driven out of the house by her. Although they were not as good as Musk Moon and others, they were all top-notch talents who could work by Baoyu's side.

At her command, Zhou Rui's wife went to all the homes of the maids who had been driven out at the beginning, and finally brought back the suitable ones for Mrs. Wang to choose.

After careful selection, Mrs. Wang finally chose a maid named "Qianxue" and arranged her to be with Baoyu.

As for Musk Moon, she was sent back to Tanchun, waiting for Aunt Zhao to choose a day and give her to Jia Huan as a concubine.

During the entire process, no one asked Musk Moon whether she was willing.

Only after Musk Moon came back did Tanchun show any concern for her.

If you really ask Musk Moon about her true intentions, of course she wants to be Master Bao's concubine, but Mrs. Wang's attitude has been very clear. She will not give her a title for the time being. As for whether she will be given one in the future, that is still hard to say.

As for Jia Huan, as long as she nodded, she would definitely become his concubine.

Even if he was a bastard's son, he was still a young master of the Jia family, and his status and treatment were far beyond that of an ordinary maid.

Just look at Xiren, who has now become Master Rong's aunt, and you can imagine how glorious and proud she is every time the sisters get together!
Although Musk Moon did not know all the sacrifices Xiren made in order to become a concubine, she had some idea of ​​it.

Sheyue also saw how much thought and love Caixia had put in to get to her current position.

Now that such great fortune has fallen upon her, if Musk Moon hesitated for a moment, it would be irresponsible to herself!
After getting Musk Moon's nod, Tanchun went back to look for her mother.

"Aunt, didn't you say that Musk Moon was going to be presented to Master Zhan? Why did you let her go with Huan Ge'er?"

"If she becomes Huan'er's concubine, how can I still use her?"

Aunt Zhao was being treated like a nobody by her master, and she was already unhappy. Seeing her daughter being so childish, she glared at her and said angrily:
"You are such a silly girl who doesn't understand romance!"

"Your head is full of high-sounding principles, but you don't know anything about what's going on in the backyard!"

"I will teach you a lesson later, otherwise you will be tricked to death by those little goblins in the future!"

"You have read so many books in vain. Haven't you heard the truth that a wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a secret lover, and a secret lover is not as good as not being able to steal?"

"Men are all cheap bastards. They love to eat what's in the bowl and look at what's in the pot. Other people's women are the most fun!"

Seeing that Tanchun was speechless and had an expression of disapproval on her face, her lips moving as if she was about to refute, Aunt Zhao leaned back, half lying on the beauty couch, waving her handkerchief and shouting with foam flying all over her mouth:

"Don't you think about it? If you don't allow her some benefits, why doesn't she live a good life in the first house, but instead has to come back to you, a little bitch, to suffer?"

"Yes, the lady never gave her the status of a concubine, but you know Baoyu's character. He has always been kind to women. If Baoyu becomes successful in the future, will he be stingy with giving her the status of a concubine?"

"So if we don't want her to leave and reveal our secret, we have to be willing to spend a lot of money!"

"We don't have anything ourselves, so what can we give her?"

"Isn't that the only title?"

At this point, Aunt Zhao sighed deeply and said with great emotion:

"Reputation is worthless to some people, but it is priceless to others!"

Seeing that Tanchun had fallen silent and her expression seemed to understand something, Aunt Zhao curled her lips again and continued:
"So what if she follows Huan Ge'er?"

"It's just a concubine. So what if I give her to Master Zhan to play with?"

"Didn't you see that Master Zhen gave all his concubines to Master Zhan?"

"If Master Zhen can do it, why can't Huan'er do it?"

"Besides, with Musk Moon hanging around in our yard, are you still worried that Master Zhan won't come here more often?"

"If you ask me, this concubine of Huan'er is better than your two personal maids!"

At this point, Aunt Zhao slapped her thigh, sat up straight, with a look of deep regret on her face, and stamped her feet, saying:

"Why didn't I think of this earlier? I should have let your two maids become Huan'er's concubines first before serving Master Zhan!"

Seeing that her aunt was getting more and more outrageous, Tanchun hurriedly said goodbye and left. Aunt Zhao was still chasing after her, whispering to her:

"As for Musk Moon, you have to talk to her first. Don't do anything serious on the night of the marriage consummation. The first time must be reserved for Master Zhan!"

"Tell her that if Master Zhan really likes her, I will not allow Huan'er to touch her in the future. I will just let her be a member of the family in name only."

"If Huan'er bullies her in the future, she can come to me and I will take care of it for her!"

Tanchun blushed, lowered her head and walked quickly, but she took in every word her mother said.

Aunt Zhao was furious when she saw her acting like this again. She stretched out her hand and twisted her waist fiercely, cursing:

"You little heartless bastard!"

"I taught you this, but you are showing this face to everyone!"

"You have to remember, even if you become the eldest daughter in the future, you still have to learn how to use the things in the backyard, otherwise you will fall flat on your face sooner or later!"

"Come and learn from me when you have time. How can I harm you?"

Tanchun returned to her own courtyard with an anxious mood. After seeing Sheyue, she opened her mouth, not knowing how to start.

She herself was an unmarried girl, so how could she tell another woman to serve a man other than her own master?
From this point of view, she did not inherit any of Aunt Zhao's good genes.

Musk Moon was more clever. Seeing that Tanchun seemed to be hesitant to speak, she took the initiative to ask:
"Miss, you look like this, but are there any more twists and turns in this matter of taking a concubine?"

"Well..." Tanchun hesitated for a moment, and said hesitantly: "There are no twists and turns in taking a concubine, it's just...it's just..."

Musk Moon felt relieved at first, then she said quickly:

"Although I am going to be the Third Master's concubine, I am still the young lady's servant. I will always be her maid. If the young lady has anything to say, please just tell her. No matter how difficult it is, I will obey her."

Seeing that Musk Moon was so sensible and good at speaking, Tanchun felt relieved and drove everyone else out. Then she coughed dryly and said with a red face:

"Well... Aunt Zhao said that if Huan'er dares to bully you in the future, you can go to her and she will take care of it for you."

"And... um... on the night of the wedding consummation, you two should not... ahem... save it for your first time."

Seeing that Tanchun's eyes were wandering and her words were hesitant, Sheyue knew that there must be something else going on, so she tentatively continued:
"Third Master is in the period of growth now, and it is indeed inappropriate for him to indulge in women. Then I will not live with Third Master for the time being, and wait for the instructions of Auntie and Young Lady before consummating the marriage."

"Ahem..." Tanchun coughed dryly again, trying to make her expression more serious, and said in a steady voice:
"In fact, you probably have noticed these days that I...I am still in some...some contact with Master Zhan behind Master and his wife's back."

When Sheyue heard the wrong tone of these words, she was immediately startled and knelt down to express her loyalty:
"Miss, I know nothing about this, and I have never told anyone nonsense."

Tanchun reached out and pulled her up, comforting her:
"Of course I trust you, you don't have to worry."

"Now I will no longer hide it from you. Originally, I asked you to come here to prepare for Brother Zhan, but I didn't know your intentions, so I never told you these things."

"The other day, my wife suddenly wanted to transfer you back. My aunt and I were worried that you would leak this matter after you went there, so we came up with this concubine thing."

Hearing this, Musk Moon's heart sank, but then she heard Tanchun say:

"I will go and explain this to Huan'er, and he will take you as his concubine as usual, but...but you still have to let Brother Zhan enjoy you for the first time."

"From now on, you will be known as Huan'er's aunt and enjoy the same treatment as an aunt in the mansion. But you will secretly need to serve Brother Zhan for me, whisper in his ear, and say good things about me."

"We do this kind of thing in secret. As long as you and I don't tell anyone, no one will know."

"If I can successfully marry into the Zhan family in the future and become their legitimate wife, I can promise you that I will let the master ask Huan Ge'er to take you over."

"What do you think?"

Musk Moon blinked her eyes, and her originally cold heart suddenly became hot again.

Which one is better, the concubine of the illegitimate son of the Jia family or the concubine of Lord Zhan?
Does this question still need to be answered?
As for words like love between husband and wife, that is really too luxurious for a concubine!

Even if the matter was exposed in the future, if she had the support of Lord Zhan, would the people in the Jia family dare to beat her to death?

The most that can happen is expulsion from the Jia family!

Is she still afraid of this?

She could then turn around and enter the Zhan family again to become a concubine openly. Wouldn't that be better?

After figuring it out, Musk Moon fell to the ground without saying a word and paid homage to Tanchun.

"My dear Miss, I will never forget your kindness. From now on, I will obey your orders. I will do whatever you ask me to do!"

Tanchun finally heaved a sigh of relief, stretched out her hand to help her up, and said with a smile:
"Maybe we will be sisters in the future, then you can just call me sister."

Musk Moon immediately climbed up the pole and said with a sweet smile:

"From now on, I will listen to you and will do whatever you ask of me."

The two sisters chatted and laughed, and soon became as close as a family.

But after seeing how Musk Moon did not hesitate to sleep with anyone just to get the position of a concubine, Tanchun couldn't help but start to doubt the education her family had received for girls over the years.

In the face of power, wealth, fame... are propriety, integrity, loyalty and chastity really that important to women?
(End of this chapter)