Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 276 Clues
While she was pondering, Baochai returned, her face full of suspicion. She went inside and said to Chen Siyuan, "Strange, I don't know what Lin girl is laughing about, but she won't tell me when I ask her."

Chen Siyuan glanced at Baochai and saw that her almond-shaped eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep, and his heart ached. He reached out and took her soft hand, saying earnestly, "You've worked so hard this time, little sister."

Baochai shook her head and said, "Why are we talking about this again?"

'If you leave, how am I supposed to live?' Daiyu felt this way, and so did Baochai. Although she never said it outright, everyone in the household knew that Baochai had long been in love with him.

If something were to happen to her, Baochai would certainly not want to turn back to Baoyu. The marriage would be delayed, and who knows what the future would hold? No wonder Baochai sighed like that.

Seeing that no one was coming to visit for the time being, Sister Bao simply sat down on the edge of the bed, reached out and smoothed Chen Siyuan's messy hair, and said calmly, "You don't need to think about anything else now, taking care of your health is the most important thing. If you get annoyed, I'll send Ying'er to the Qingtang Thatched Cottage to find some current events, and if you don't want to read them yourself, I'll read them to you, okay?"

Chen Siyuan blinked, then suddenly felt both amused and exasperated. She really was Baochai; even in her current state, she couldn't forget her "stop-work virtue."

As if noticing Chen Siyuan's unease, Baochai quickly added, "If you don't want to read current affairs articles, I'll send someone to find some storybooks."

"No need, the current affairs articles are fine."

Sister Bao smiled gently and said with relief, "There's no need to overexert yourself. Just listen to one passage a day. The eight-legged essay requires consistent practice; if you don't practice for a day, you'll know it; if you don't practice for a month, your classmates will know it. I have no other thoughts now but hope you recover soon and pass the imperial examination with flying colors. Then—"

Sister Bao blushed as she spoke of this, knowing that she would be dressed in red and colorful decorations to welcome him to her home.

Hand in hand, eyes locked, their passion overflowing, they were deeply in love. Baochai, unable to contain her fervent desire, was about to lean down and offer a kiss when Ying'er called from outside, "Miss, Aunt Zhao is here!"

Chen Siyuan and Baochai were both taken aback, wondering why Aunt Zhao had come at this time.
No matter what, she was still a relative, and Baochai, always considerate, quickly got up and changed her expression to greet her. A short while later, Chen Siyuan saw Baochai lead Aunt Zhao in, followed by Xiao Que'er and Xiao Jixiang'er carrying two food boxes inside.

"Is the young master feeling any better? I said I would come yesterday, but a maid told me on the way that he had fallen asleep, so I went back."

Before Chen Siyuan could answer, Aunt Zhao turned around and said, "Quickly put these down, these are all very nourishing foods."

Little Magpie and Little Lucky quickly agreed, found a table, spread out the food box, and took out the various foods inside.

Aunt Zhao moved her stool closer to the bed and said with a smile, "It's all thanks to Yuan-ge'er that Master allowed Huan'er to go to the front to study. I think Yuan-ge'er is the closest person to me in this mansion. I was just about to invite Tan-ya to come along, but she said she had already come this morning, so I had to come by myself."

"Is your injury any better? You have no idea, you weren't awake yesterday, and I was so scared I was praying to the gods and Buddhas for ages. Thankfully, the gods and Buddhas protected you, and you woke up in the afternoon."

Chen Siyuan could only say, "Thank you for your concern, Aunt."

Aunt Zhao flicked her handkerchief and said with a playful laugh, "Do we need to be so polite between us?" She paused, then gestured towards the table and said, "I didn't know what to give you, so I thought that eating something is good for your health, and I gave the kitchen two taels of silver to buy some nourishing food. Young master, eat more of this later."

Chen Siyuan smiled and nodded, then noticed that Baochai frowned, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated. Chen Siyuan glanced at the dishes and saw that they included dried scallops, yellow croaker, mutton soup, and goose jerky... Good heavens, they were all "heat-inducing" foods!

Chen Siyuan's old injury had not yet healed, so how could he dare to eat foods that might aggravate the condition? He secretly thought to himself that Aunt Zhao was ignorant, and besides, these foods probably cost at least one tael of silver. Perhaps Aunt Zhao had been fooled by the cooks in the small kitchen, so it was not appropriate to blame her to her face.

So she secretly gave Baochai a wink, and then smiled at Aunt Zhao, saying, "Auntie, you've gone to too much trouble."

Aunt Zhao covered her mouth and laughed, "Of course. Putting aside everything else, only the young master in this mansion treats the three of us mother and sons very politely. Just for that reason alone, I should come and see the young master."

Ying'er served tea, and Aunt Zhao chatted on and on for a long time, saying this and that. Seeing that Baochai was still unwilling to leave, she had no choice but to get up awkwardly and say that she would visit Chen Siyuan again when he returned to Qingtang Thatched Cottage.

Chen Siyuan was unable to get up, so he asked Sister Bao to see him off on his behalf.

After Baochai saw Aunt Zhao off and returned home, the two women fell silent. Baochai pointed to the food and said, "Has Aunt Zhao been tricked?"

Chen Siyuan said, "Sister, I knew all along what kind of people the servants in this mansion are."

Baochai nodded and frowned, saying, "This servant has become too powerful and is now overbearing... It looks like he's gone too far to be controlled."

Chen Siyuan said, "It has always been so: when the master is powerful, he bullies the slave; when the slave is powerful, he bullies the master. Just look at the Ming Dynasty and you will know this."

Baochai pondered, "It's a dilemma... The maids we bought from outside might have ulterior motives, and although the servants born into the family are loyal, they might collude with each other... I can't think of a way to satisfy both."

Chen Siyuan said, "Where in this world is there a way to have it all? It's just a matter of being desperate and then thinking of ways to change things."

Baochai thought it made sense and couldn't help but admire her even more. The two were talking intimately when Aunt Xue returned shortly afterward. Chen Siyuan then said to the mother and daughter, "These past two days have really troubled you both too much, Aunt and Baochai. I have now recovered and should move back to my humble abode."

Aunt Xue was about to speak, but stopped herself because Baochai was there. Baochai, however, had other thoughts and said, "You are so badly injured. Physician Wang has said that it's best not to move you for the next few days. The front courtyard is empty anyway, so why not stay a few more days until Physician Wang has examined you before moving you."

Aunt Xue quickly chimed in, "That's absolutely right. If the wound were just two inches lower, it would pierce the heart. How could we dare to move it carelessly?"

Chen Siyuan and Baochai exchanged a glance. Her almond-shaped eyes seemed to speak volumes, and Chen Siyuan instantly understood her thoughts. Now that he lived in the front courtyard of the small courtyard in the northeast, Baochai could easily find an excuse to stay there during the day. If they moved back to the thatched cottage, Baochai would probably be concerned about what others would say, and would likely follow the example of Daiyu and Xing Xiuyan, visiting only briefly before returning home.

He was so badly injured that Baochai naturally wanted to take care of him herself.

He glanced at Aunt Xue again, not expecting that Aunt Xue had such thoughts... Her eyes were looking at him eagerly, and it was really difficult to say no, so Chen Siyuan had no choice but to agree.

Since Aunt Xue returned, Tongxi and Tonggui naturally returned as well. Wu'er also came to take care of Chen Siyuan. Baochai took the opportunity to give the maids some food and instructed them not to tell anyone.

By late afternoon, a sleepy-eyed Xiangling hurried over, only to find that Sister You had sent someone to inform her that Zhen Fengshi had arrived at the new residence. Due to the siltation of the canal, Zhen Fengshi had traveled nearly two hundred li by land, and in the scorching sun, she fell ill as soon as she boarded the boat again.

Even now, having rushed to the capital, she is still sickly and has not improved. Xiangling is worried about her mother, so she has to go and take care of her first, saying that she will come back at night.

Chen Siyuan quickly said, "Since your mother is ill, it's more important to take care of her. I'm much better now, so it doesn't matter when you come back to visit me."

Xiangling pouted and said, "How can that be the same? Wu'er was so frightened by just one glance at Master that day that she felt palpitations and shortness of breath, and it took her two days to recover. If she were to take the night watch, she would probably make herself sick from exhaustion. In that case, only Hongyu would be left. What would happen if something happened to Master?"

Wu'er said from the side, "I... I was just a little flustered by the old man's blood-stab that day, but I'm fine now."

Aunt Xue, who was standing nearby, laughed and said, "You're thinking too much, child. Aren't there still Hongyu and Wu'er? If not, I'll send Tongxi and Tonggui to take care of them."

Xiangling thought about it and realized it made sense. She quickly smiled and thanked Aunt Xue. Aunt Xue felt a little strange. She only praised Xiangling for being lucky a few times before urging her to go see Zhen Fengshi.

As fate would have it, no sooner had Xiangling left than her maid Yunxiang arrived with a long face, telling Chen Siyuan, "It's terrible! Sister Hongyu thought the cicadas under the eaves were too noisy, so she climbed onto a stool to chase them away, but she accidentally stepped on it and hurt her foot!"

Chen Siyuan asked in surprise, "Has the imperial physician examined you?"

Yunxiang said, "Doctor Bao just examined her and said it was an ankle injury. He prescribed a medicine and applied ointment, but I'm afraid it won't be healed for more than a month."

It was truly a case of one misfortune after another. Chen Siyuan could only instruct Yunxiang to guard the door carefully. But Yunxiang hesitated for a long time and refused to leave. In the end, she said that Hongyu had ordered her to guard Chen Siyuan at night.

Chen Siyuan raised an eyebrow and, with a few words, sent Yunxiang back to the thatched cottage. This girl was excellent at gathering information, but asking her to look after people… who knows who would be looking after whom then?

After Yunxiang left sheepishly, Wu'er declared that she would stay with Chen Siyuan that night, refusing to listen to any attempts to dissuade her. Aunt Xue considered the matter and decided to leave Tongxi with her to look after Wu'er that night.

With everything settled, and as it approached late afternoon, Aunt Xue went to the front to speak with Madam Wang. Sister Bao originally intended to stay and have dinner with Chen Siyuan, but then someone else arrived.

Hearing the commotion, Baochai hurried over to greet them. It turned out that her sister-in-law, Li Wan, had brought Jia Lan along, with Suyun and Biyue carrying food boxes behind them.

Sister Bao greeted them briefly and then led the group inside.

Li Wan nodded slightly to Chen Siyuan with a guilty look, then turned and instructed, "Lan'er!"

Jia Lan looked solemn, stepped forward, lifted his robe, knelt down, and kowtowed, saying, "Thank you, Uncle Yuan, for saving my life."

Startled, Chen Siyuan struggled to sit up, but accidentally aggravated his wound. He grimaced and hissed, asking, "What's wrong, sister-in-law?"

Li Wan frowned and said, "If Brother Yuan hadn't noticed beforehand, how could Lan'er be alive? This time, Brother Yuan has been implicated and suffered such a serious injury. I feel really bad about it. There's not much we, a widow and her child, can do. I only know how to cook a few delicious dishes... I feel I can't repay this kindness, so I can only ask Lan'er for it."

If one day Lan Ge'er is fortunate enough to gain power, he will never forget the kindness of his distant brother.

Chen Siyuan gestured repeatedly, and Baochai then instructed Ying'er to help Jia Lan up. Chen Siyuan said, "My injury this time was also due to chance... Sister-in-law, you don't need to feel so guilty."

Li Wan shook her head, said nothing more, and quickly took the food box from Su Yun's hand, spreading it out on the table. Inside were only two items: a bowl of Wensi Tofu and a plate of Jadeite Shumai.

Li Wan said to Baochai, "I didn't dare put mushrooms in these shumai, but they taste pretty good. If Brother Yuan doesn't like them, I'll change the style tomorrow."

Baochai also tried to persuade Li Wan, but although Li Wan listened with a smile, she refused to nod. Baochai then thought about it and realized that Li Wan felt guilty and that this was the only way to relieve her guilt, so she stopped trying to persuade her.

Li Wan and her son put down their food, exchanged a few words, and then took their leave. Once inside the Grand View Garden, Li Wan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling much better now that she had done her part.

As luck would have it, they bumped right into that seductive young lady approaching. Jia Lan, who was with her, looked over curiously, while Su Yun and Bi Yue both frowned. The former simply blocked Jia Lan's view and whispered, "Young master, don't go looking at that slovenly girl. You'll only offend her eyes."

Jia Lan seemed to understand but not quite, and hurriedly went to look at Li Wan. Li Wan then realized what was going on and said, "Su Yun is right, don't go looking at her!"

That being said, as she passed by that young lady, Li Wan couldn't help but recall the events of that evening. Not being a sheltered young lady, she was immediately stirred by the vivid images in her mind, her heart filled with tender emotions.

Li Wan bit her lip, trying desperately to remember Jia Zhu, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't recall Jia Zhu's appearance. Suddenly, Chen Siyuan's image appeared before her eyes.

Li Wan was so ashamed she wanted to die! She thought to herself, Yuan-ge is young and has a bright future, while she is a widow and unemployed. How could she have such romantic thoughts with a good-for-nothing like him?

Seeing her face flushed with embarrassment, Biyue quickly asked with concern, "Grandma, are you suffering from heatstroke? Why is your face so red?"

Li Wan snapped out of her daze, quickly raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun, and mumbled, "Perhaps, perhaps I didn't sleep well last night."

Su Yun had no doubts and said, "Grandma works from dawn till dusk, and even the best health can't withstand it. If you want to prepare food for Master Yuan tomorrow, you might as well let us know in advance. Bi Yue and I will take care of it first, and it won't matter if you get up a little later to cook it."

"Hmm, alright then." Li Wan agreed, then gritted her teeth inwardly. Sometimes people are like that; the more they don't want to think about something, the more they can't help but think about it.

Upon returning to Daoxiang Village, Li Wan had dinner and, while sitting idly, couldn't stop thinking about Chen Siyuan. Even she herself was puzzled, unsure whether it was out of gratitude for his kindness or lust for his looks.

So, although she went to bed early that night, she tossed and turned as before. When Suyun came to call her early in the morning, Li Wan cooked some food in a daze, but then couldn't stay awake any longer. She sent Biyue to the front to find the old lady and tell her that she was feeling tired today and that the teaching of Sanchun would be suspended for a day.

Upon receiving the news, the old lady hurriedly sent her head maid, Amber, to check on Li Wan. Seeing that Li Wan was indeed just tired and not sick, she then reported back to reassure Grandmother Jia.

Leaving aside Li Wan's recent predicament, which was filled with both shame and anger, let's talk about Jia Zhen's birthday.

Liu Wu'er indeed stayed up all night, but could only manage to stay awake until early morning. She was then drowsy when Tong Gui took her back to Qingtang Thatched Cottage.

Soon after, Sister Bao brought Ying'er to see him. Seeing that Chen Siyuan's complexion had improved considerably, she secretly breathed a sigh of relief. That day, Suyun delivered the food box. After Chen Siyuan had breakfast, Sister Bao hurriedly sent Ying'er to fetch Physician Wang.

After examining him, Physician Wang couldn't help but laugh and said, "Young Master Yuan is young and has abundant qi and blood. If it were an ordinary person, it would probably take more than a month just to replenish their qi and blood after such an injury. However, just to be on the safe side, I will prescribe a formula to replenish qi and blood. We will see how it goes after Young Master Yuan has used a few doses."

The wound was re-bandaged and the dressing changed. Aunt Xue presented the consultation fee and personally saw Doctor Wang out. After Baochai had read the prescription, she hurriedly sent Ying'er to fetch the medicine and then watched the old woman carefully brew it. Because Aunt Xue was present, she could only have Tongxi serve Chen Siyuan the medicine.

After drinking a large bowl of herbal medicine, Chen Siyuan couldn't help but change his clothes. He then started yawning repeatedly, feeling extremely sleepy.

He was naturally very surprised, and Sister Bao said, "There is a medicine in this prescription that has a calming effect. You will naturally feel sleepy after taking it. Since you have nothing else to do, you might as well get a good night's sleep."

Chen Siyuan agreed and soon fell asleep.

Baochai stayed by the bedside and fanned her.

Around 9:00 AM, an old woman came to urge them on, saying that apart from Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang and the others were all going to the East Mansion to celebrate. So Aunt Xue instructed Tongxi to stay and look after them, and she took Tonggui and Baochai with her and headed to the East Mansion.

That day, the Ningguo Mansion set up a banquet at Dengxian Pavilion, with a stage underneath. They invited both Anhui and Kunqu opera troupes, and the performance began before noon. Because of You Shi's repeated nagging these past few days, Jia Zhen finally behaved himself and did not order any of those lively plays this time.

At that moment, Jia Zhen, Jia She, Jia Lian, Jia Zheng, Jia Chang, and others were drinking and laughing downstairs, while the remaining women went up to the pavilion to watch the play, so they could enjoy both without any delay.

Leaving aside the situation downstairs, upstairs, when Madam You heard that Chen Siyuan had narrowly escaped death, she was naturally worried and pretended to be surprised as she asked him for a long time.

The details were not to be revealed by either Madam Wang or Aunt Xue. For the time being, they simply said that Jia Lan had been targeted by villains and was rescued by Chen Siyuan by chance.

Madam You was uneasy and didn't say anything more. Aunt Xue, worried about Chen Siyuan, simply said she was thirsty and kept raising her cup. It was only past noon when Aunt Xue's face was flushed from drinking. She simply said she couldn't hold her liquor and led her companions back to the side gate of Fangyuan.

When Aunt Xue hurriedly returned to the small courtyard in the northeast, she saw many figures inside. Just then, Tong Xi came to greet her. Aunt Xue couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Who's here?"

Tong Xi said, "It's Grandma Zhu."

Aunt Xue then remembered that Li Wan had said she was feeling tired today and hadn't gone to the East Mansion.

Li Wan glanced inside and saw Su Yun pouring tea. She then sat on a stool by the bed, fanning herself with a round fan, watching over Chen Siyuan, who was fast asleep.

Aunt Xue felt slightly puzzled, but then she understood, assuming that Li Wan was expressing her gratitude to Chen Siyuan for saving Jia Lan. She smiled and went inside, whereupon Li Wan quickly rose to greet her.

After exchanging a few words, Li Wan said, "I heard that Auntie went to the East Mansion, and Tongxi is the only one taking care of her here... I was afraid that something might go wrong, so I came uninvited."

Aunt Xue laughed and said, "I was also afraid of not being thorough enough, so I rushed back after only watching half of the play."

Li Wan nodded and said, "Now that Auntie has returned, I shall take my leave."

Aunt Xue smiled and agreed, then sent Tong Gui to see Li Wan off. She glanced around briefly before turning back to the bedside.

In just a short while, because no one was fanning him, fine beads of sweat appeared on Chen Siyuan's forehead. Aunt Xue took the opportunity to sit down on the stool and picked up a round fan to fan Chen Siyuan.

Staring intently at Chen Siyuan, she became completely captivated. A myriad of thoughts swirled in her mind, unspoken, but she poured them all into her gaze. After a long while, Aunt Xue suddenly burst into laughter, for the more she looked, the more handsome Chen Siyuan's face seemed.

Stealing a glance back, Aunt Xue saw Tongxi and Tonggui whispering in the hall, and couldn't help but reach out to stroke Chen Siyuan's face.

But halfway through reaching out her hand... Aunt Xue's face flushed even more, perhaps because of the wine she had been drinking, and she was now thinking of that tender and romantic place even more.

Chen Siyuan was usually full of energy, so this quietness was something I'd never seen before... Turning her head, she saw that Tongxi and Tonggui had gone out again, and seeing Chen Siyuan's oblivious expression, Aunt Xue found it even more amusing.

After a while, Tongxi and Tonggui came in together. Tonggui said, "Is Madam tired? Let me fan her."

Aunt Xue said, "It's good for you to sober up. I think you don't need to stay here. Just go to the East Mansion and see what's going on. You can come back later."

Tongxi and Tonggui, who were at the age where they loved to play, were immediately tempted upon hearing this, but repeatedly declined.

To everyone's surprise, Aunt Xue laughed and said, "I'm speaking seriously. Why don't you go and see what's going on while I still have the energy? If I get sleepy later, this good thing won't happen."

Tongxi and Tonggui exchanged a glance and quickly said, "In that case, we'll watch one performance and come back!"

Seeing that Aunt Xue had agreed, the two maids happily headed to the Ningguo Mansion.

With those two gone, only the maids and old women who couldn't enter the rooms remained in the courtyard. And because Chen Siyuan was injured, the doors and windows were tightly closed. Aunt Xue became even more tempted and leaned over to kiss Chen Siyuan's cheek.

Seeing that Chen Siyuan only frowned slightly but still didn't wake up, Aunt Xue smiled and became even more unrestrained—

............................................................

Just then, as Madam Wang was talking with Madam You and Your Excellency was singing "The Kite's Mistake," Zhou Rui's wife hurried over.

He approached and bowed, whispering, "Madam, Mrs. Xia has arrived."

Madam Wang was puzzled, wondering why Madam Xia had come at this time. She quickly gave some instructions to Madam You, then got up and led her maids and servants back to the Rongguo Mansion.

After a short while, Mrs. Xia was invited to her courtyard. After the guests and hosts were seated, fragrant tea and snacks were served. Mrs. Xia then said, "If this matter were not so urgent, I would not have come to find you at this time."

Having received a favor, Madam Wang felt obligated to repay the Xia family's kindness, as she had only lent them ten thousand taels of silver. She immediately said, "Sister, you're too kind. May I ask what urgent matter you have?"

Madam Xia frowned and said, "Madam, you don't know, I just received an imperial envoy yesterday and have to go to Jiangnan to make purchases. This round trip will take two or three months. Madam also knows that my family is small, with only one daughter, Jin Gui."

"With me gone, Jin Gui will be left unattended, and I'm truly uneasy about it. Now I have no choice but to shamelessly come to you, Madam, for help."

Lady Wang wasn't stupid. Xia Jingui was about the same age as Baoyu, so why didn't she go south with Madam Xia? This was just a pretext to try and get Xia Jingui into the Rongguo Mansion.

Lady Wang pondered for a moment. Firstly, she felt obligated to accept the gift and couldn't refuse; secondly, Baoyu had praised Xia Jingui highly the previous time, so it would be good to keep her under observation for a while. If she turned out to be a good one, she might as well keep her as a backup option.

So Lady Wang smiled and said, "Sister, you're being too polite. We already have many young ladies in our household, and Jin Gui's arrival will only make things more lively." After a pause, she added, "Bao Yu used to live in Yi Hong Courtyard, but now it's empty. I think it would be nice if Jin Gui could move in there first?"

Madam Xia had seen the Grand View Garden before and knew that the Yi Hong Courtyard was the most luxurious. She was overjoyed and said, "That's wonderful! When I return from Jiangnan, I will definitely thank you properly, Madam."

After exchanging pleasantries, the two finalized the arrangements for Xia Jingui to enter the mansion the day after tomorrow, and Madam Xia left satisfied.

After Zhou Rui's wife saw Mrs. Xia off, Madam Wang pondered for a long time with a sullen face. Although she had vaguely made up her mind, she still wanted to find someone to settle scores with.

Whom could Madam Wang turn to for advice? Of course, it was Aunt Xue.

After Madam Wang had drunk a cup of tea, she got up and led Yu Chuan to the small courtyard to the northeast.

The small courtyard in the northeast was also a three-section layout, with the main gate opening onto the side gate next to the private alley in the southeast. However, there was no old woman on duty at the moment. Madam Wang assumed that the servants of the Xue family had all gone to the Ningguo Mansion to see the excitement, so she entered the main gate and only found an old woman dozing off by the second gate.

When the old woman saw that it was Madam Wang, she quickly stepped forward to greet her.

Madam Wang then smiled and asked, "Where is your wife?"

The old woman stammered and mumbled, "Perhaps they're resting in the back." Then she added, "Please wait a moment, Madam, I'll go and deliver the message."

Madam Wang smiled and said, "I've come more than once or twice, why would I need you to relay the message? You just need to guard the door."

The old woman chuckled and agreed, watching as Madam Wang entered the front courtyard.

Madam Wang intended to walk along the covered corridor to the back, but after only going halfway, she faintly heard some strange noises coming from the front courtyard.

Madam Wang didn't think much of it at the moment, assuming that Aunt Xue was waiting ahead to look after Chen Siyuan. But after taking a few more steps, Madam Wang became increasingly aware that something was amiss.

He secretly wondered if Baochai and Chen Siyuan were having an affair.

Madam Wang's expression changed several times, while she secretly pondered to herself, "This is something I shouldn't be meddling in, both morally and logically. But to have stumbled upon it seems... wait, there might be some benefits!"

Leaving aside Baochai, Lady Wang regrets that Chen Siyuan did not die, and she was just worried about how to deal with this boy. Isn't this a golden opportunity that has come to her?
With this leverage in their own hands, if they decide to go east, how could Chen Siyuan, who values ​​Baochai's reputation, dare to go west?
However, such matters should not be spread... After making up her mind, Madam Wang turned around and instructed Yu Chuan'er and the others, "You don't need to follow us. You can either go back and rest or go to the East Mansion to watch the excitement. I will return by myself in a while."

Although Yu Chuan'er heard the commotion, she thought of her sister's misfortune and pretended not to hear it. Upon hearing this, she immediately smiled and said, "Thank you, Madam. That play was quite good. I was just about to go watch it."

Having said this, she curtsied and bid farewell to Madam Wang, then pulled the listless Tanxin and left the small courtyard in the northeast. The two maids wandered into the Grand View Garden, and Tanxin finally couldn't hold back any longer, saying to Yuchuan, "Sister, what was that commotion just now—"

Yu Chuan'er immediately frowned and said, "What was that noise? I didn't hear anything?"

Tan Xin hesitated, unsure of what to say. Yu Chuan walked around for a while, and seeing that no one was around, and feeling that Tan Xin was a good person, she couldn't help but take pity on her and whispered, "If you want to stay peacefully in Madam's room, then you shouldn't look at what you shouldn't look at, listen to what you shouldn't listen to, and think less about what you shouldn't think about."

Tanxin nodded blankly, and Yuchuan sighed and said, "Otherwise, think of Caiyun, and then think of my sister."

Tan Xin immediately tensed up and nodded heavily, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Sister Yu Chuan'er. I'll remember it."

Leaving aside the two maids, Madam Wang noticed that the old woman leaning against the door had fallen asleep again, so she tiptoed along the covered walkway to the main house in the front courtyard. She intended to get a good look, but the doors and windows were tightly closed, and there were gauze curtains covering the view. She could only vaguely glimpse a figure moving inside, but she couldn't make out who it was.

Hearing a strange and suppressed groan, Madam Wang knew she could wait no longer, so she opened the door and went inside.

A soft creak startled Aunt Xue in the side room, who cried out in alarm, "Who's there?"

Lady Wang was so shocked that she stopped in her tracks. She had thought it was Baochai, but who would have thought it was her own dear sister!
Madam Wang stepped forward and turned to look inside. She saw Aunt Xue lying on the floor, quietly tidying up her clothes. Looking further at the bed, she saw Chen Siyuan sleeping peacefully.

This……

Madam Wang secretly regretted that she shouldn't have stumbled upon this matter if she had known it would turn out this way. Now, how was she supposed to explain herself?
Looking at Aunt Xue again, her face was flushed with embarrassment, her red lips parted, but she couldn't say a word for a long time.

Aunt Xue stepped forward and said softly, "Sister, this matter is not..."

Before he could finish speaking, Madam Wang shook her head and said, "You! Never mind, go to the back and talk!"

After saying this, Madam Wang glanced at Chen Siyuan, who was still asleep under the brocade quilt, and then took the lead and left the main room.

Aunt Xue was on the verge of tears, secretly regretting that she shouldn't have acted so recklessly... She was usually very cautious, but who knew that her recklessness would be caught red-handed by her own sister, Madam Wang!

He was so angry he wanted to grind his teeth to powder. With a droopy face, he followed Madam Wang out of the main house in the front yard and headed towards the back yard.

The two sisters were unaware that as soon as they left for the back, Baochai hurriedly returned. Seeing that the room was unattended, Baochai scolded them for a long time. Then she smelled a strange odor, not knowing why, and assumed that the doors and windows were tightly closed. So she and Ying'er quickly opened the window of the east wing to let the smell dissipate.

(End of this chapter)