Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 333

Because she knew that Zhang Jinge's entry into the mansion was a scheme by Madam Wang, Sister Feng, despite her displeasure, pretended to be amiable. Hearing Qiu Tong's barbed and sarcastic rebuke, she immediately sided with Qiu Tong, saying, "You should say less. Sister Zhang is newly married; she's of superior character and appearance. How could she be a vixen?"

Qiu Tong rolled her eyes and said, "Grandma probably doesn't know that there are indeed such vixens in this world who can know a person's face but not their heart!"

Zhang Jingge bit his lower lip and said to Feng Jie, "Grandma, may I ask who this young lady is?"

Feng Jie sipped her tea without saying a word, while Ping'er said from the side, "Aunt Zhang, you don't know, this is Aunt Qiu Tong. She used to be a maidservant by the master's side, but later the master gave her to the second master."

Zhang Jinge smiled, turned around and walked up to Qiu Tong, saying, "Vixen?" He raised his hand and slapped her across the face!

With a loud slap, Qiu Tong saw stars.

Sister Feng was stunned, and even Qiu Tong was dumbfounded. After a while, she covered her face in astonishment and said, "You, you dare to hit me?"

Zhang Jingge said, enunciating each word clearly, "I am a concubine, and you are a lowly maid. The Second Master and Second Mistress have not said anything to me, yet you, this lowly maid, accuse me of being a vixen. Where do you get the audacity?"

"You, I'll beat you to death, you slut!"

Qiu Tong bared her teeth and claws, about to pounce forward, but Zhang Jingge's maid immediately stopped her. Zhang Jingge raised her hand and slapped Qiu Tong twice more, knocking her to the ground.

Qiu Tong slapped her thigh and cried out, "Second Madam, you have to stand up for me! This vixen hit me as soon as she entered the manor. Who knows, she might start defecating and pissing on your head in the future!"

Zhang Jingge turned around and curtsied to Feng Jie, saying, "Grandma, although I have a troubled past, I am a person of integrity. My coming to your mansion this time is... out of necessity, and I would never have any intention of competing with you or vying for your position."

Sister Feng was astonished. She had long heard that Zhang Jinge was strong-willed, but she hadn't expected him to be this fierce. If she were to fight Zhang Jinge herself, she would not only lose face, but might also get herself into trouble. Since Qiu Tong was not one to stay quiet, it was better to let the two of them fight it out.

Because it was Sister Feng, she said, "Sister, get up quickly. It was just a little quarrel. You've only just married into the family. How could I blame you?" As she spoke, her gaze passed over Zhang Jinge and looked at Qiu Tong, who was throwing a tantrum, and said, "You should get up quickly too. Sister Zhang was brought into the family by the Second Master. She was a rich young lady before. You are not someone who comes from a servant family."

"grandmother!"

Feng Jie didn't say anything, and Ping'er quickly stepped forward to help Qiu Tong out.

Sister Feng took off another jade bracelet from her wrist, took Zhang Jinge's hand and put it on her wrist. She gently patted Zhang Jinge's hand and said, "Now that you've entered the Rongguo Mansion, I hope you'll behave yourself and have children for the Second Master as soon as possible."

"Yes, thank you for your guidance, sister."

Just then, a maidservant from outside said, "Madam, Master Zhang has sent over thirty-two sets of dowry with great fanfare. He said that Consort Zhang was in such a hurry to come to the mansion that she forgot to prepare the dowry."

Sister Feng was stunned. She quickly turned to look at Zhang Jinge, only to find that Zhang Jinge was even more astonished than Sister Feng.

Since it was a matter within her own room, she couldn't entrust it to others, so Sister Feng said, "Go and tell your second master to go and greet him."

Regardless of Master Zhang's motives, one shouldn't hit a smiling face, and it's not good to treat someone poorly.

She then said to Zhang Jinge, "I heard that you had a rather unpleasant falling out with your family. But blood is thicker than water, so you should go and greet them, no matter what."

Zhang Jinge pursed his lips and curtsied, saying, "Thank you, Grandma."

Wang Xifeng then took Zhang Jingge's hand and said, "From now on, we can just call each other sisters. There's no need for such formalities, sister."

"Yes, sister."

Zhang Jingge curtsied and led his maid forward.

Once the person left, Ping'er frowned and returned, lifting the curtain to enter and whispering, "Madam, didn't Master Zhang have a rather unpleasant argument with Consort Zhang earlier? Why is he rushing to deliver the dowry?"

Sister Feng sneered, "That so-called garrison commander's son, how can he compare to the Rongguo Mansion's social standing? For a woman who has been married twice to be able to enter the Rongguo Mansion as a concubine is a stroke of good luck for the Zhang family! The Zhang family has come here with nothing but the intention of currying favor."

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

Qiu Shuang Zhai.

After leaving Rongqing Hall, Chen Siyuan first went to check on the wreckage of the carriage before heading to Qiushuangzhai to see Tanchun.

Upon arriving at Qiushuangzhai Courtyard, Shishu happened to be bringing out an empty medicine bowl. Upon seeing Chen Siyuan, Shishu immediately smiled and said, "Master Yuan, our young lady has just woken up. She's not very hot now and seems much better."

"That's good."

The maidservant said, "Thanks to Master Yuan for bringing the medicine, otherwise we don't know when the young lady's high fever would have subsided." She paused, then added, "The young lady is awake now, Master Yuan, would you like to come in and take a look?"

“Alright.” Chen Siyuan agreed and followed Shishu into Qiushuangzhai.

This Qiushuangzhai is only three rooms in size, with no side rooms on either side. The central room is the main hall, with a bookshelf on the north side filled with all kinds of books; the east end room is the study, equipped with a desk, a zither, and other items; the east end room is the bedroom, furnished with an embroidered bed.

Chen Siyuan walked around the screen and entered. Shishu said from afar, "Miss, Master Yuan has come to see you."

There were two coughs inside, and then Tan Chun, with a pale face, lifted the curtain to greet them.

Chen Siyuan hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Third sister is still ill, why must you come out to greet me?"

Tan Chun curtsied and was helped up by her maid. She raised her small face and smiled, saying, "I was just frightened and caught a cold, but I'm all better now. This curtsy is to thank Brother Yuan for saving my life."

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "Third sister, you're being too presumptuous by saying that."

Tan Chun gestured and said, "Please, Brother Yuan, sit down and let's talk."

"it is good."

The two entered the east wing room. Tan Chun sat on the embroidered bed, and Shi Shu hurriedly brought over a stool. Chen Siyuan sat down on it, carefully looked at Tan Chun who was wearing a headband, and said with a smile, "It's fortunate that Third Sister has a good constitution. If it were an ordinary person, I'm afraid they would not have been able to escape in that situation."

Tan Chun clutched her heart and frowned, saying, "Indeed. Even now, thinking back on it, I still feel lingering fear. That day was truly extremely dangerous." She paused, then added, "Brother Yuan received the news early on. Has he found out who did it?"

Chen Siyuan nodded first, then shook his head.

Tan Chun met his gaze and immediately understood. She quickly sent the maids, including Shi Shu, away. Only the two of them remained inside. Chen Siyuan then handed over a bloodstained long needle: "Third sister, take a look. This is the one that shot into the carriage shaft. When the mules pulling the carriage were running at full speed, the needle pierced the horse's rump. It went mad because of the pain."

Tan Chun, holding the long needle, frowned and said, "So, the villains planted this on the carriage shaft long ago, just waiting for the carriage to move quickly?"

Chen Siyuan shook his head and said, "It's hard to say. I said 'shoot,' not 'insert.' This thing is sharp at both ends, so it probably resembles a blowgun. The needle is less than four inches long, and the blowpipe is only about five inches long. When it's activated, you can hold it in your hand and secretly blow a couple of needles like that. It's truly undetectable."

Tan Chun took a deep breath, her brows furrowed, before tentatively asking, "Is it—that Madam can no longer tolerate me?"

Chen Siyuan pondered for a moment and shook his head, saying, "I'm afraid Madam's original intention was just to have Third Sister suffer some injuries so that she could resign from her job as steward. However, the person in charge of this matter is deliberately trying to harm Third Sister."

Tan Chun sneered, "I never wanted to take on that damn housekeeping job in the first place. If Madam wants to take it back, she can just find any excuse. Why do you have to resort to such despicable means?"

The method is despicable, but if it succeeds, the blame will fall on others and will naturally have nothing to do with Madam Wang.

Chen Siyuan then said, "This matter was meticulously planned, and for a time no clues could be found... But don't worry, Third Sister, even if I can't find the evidence, I won't let the person behind it get away with it."

Tan Chun opened her mouth as if to say something, but Chen Siyuan stopped her, saying, "Third Sister is still ill, so please rest first. I'll be going back now." Tan Chun agreed and said, "Shishu, please see Brother Yuan off for me."

The servant outside responded and smiled as he saw Chen Siyuan off. Tan Chun sat upright on her embroidered bed, watching Chen Siyuan walk around the screen and push open the door through the Hundred Treasures Pavilion and beaded curtain. She couldn't help but recall the perilous situation she had faced the day before.

Looking back, I was mostly filled with lingering fear, but now, thinking back to that time when Chen Siyuan held me in his arms as I dismounted... it was truly embarrassing.

Tan Chun was only a year younger than Daiyu, and being precocious, she was already showing signs of developing feelings. Among all the people in the household, Chen Siyuan was the only outsider. Moreover, his words and actions pleased Tan Chun, and his heroic rescue of her the previous day further fueled her interest. Thus, it was inevitable that Tan Chun would develop feelings for him.

Just as she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard Cui Mo say, "Miss, the Second Miss is here."

Tan Chun snapped out of her reverie and saw that Cui Mo had lifted the curtain, and her second sister, Ying Chun, had already entered. Tan Chun hurriedly came to greet her, and Ying Chun, laughing, pulled her to sit on the embroidered bed, saying, "Third sister, are you still thinking about what happened yesterday?"

Tan Chun nodded and then recounted what Chen Siyuan had just said, concluding, "I don't know where Brother Yuan got this information from, nor do I know who he's going to deal with."

Yingchun pondered for a moment and said, "Given the current situation, I'm sure Third Sister already understands it. Why not take this opportunity to retreat and protect herself? As for the grudges, don't you still have me as your older sister?"

Tan Chun asked in surprise, "Second Sister, you also know the details of this matter?"

Yingchun nodded and said, "I have figured it out. After the death of Aunt Pan's eldest son, Madam has become less close to Aunt, but has been spending more and more time with that Xia family girl. Considering that Xia family girl is only a teenager, even if she is very cunning, how could she have devised such a scheme?"

I've heard that the Xia family's daughter has a very trusted wet nurse named Granny Hu. No matter where she goes, especially to the Madam's residence, Granny Hu always accompanies her.

Second sister means—

“Yes,” Yingchun nodded and said, “I have plenty of ways and means to deal with people who use such underhanded tricks.”

Tan Chun hesitated and asked, "Second Sister, do you want to gain control of the household and then deal with that Granny Hu?"

Yingchun smiled gently and said, "It's because my third sister is still young and has a strong personality, otherwise I wouldn't have needed to handle this on her behalf."

Although Tan Chun knew early on that Ying Chun was intelligent and good at hiding her shortcomings, her doughy nature was still a source of worry for her. So she opened her mouth to speak several times but then stopped, finding herself in a difficult position.

Yingchun knew what she was thinking, so she held her hands and said, "Third sister, don't worry. You can just pretend to be sick and stay home these next few days. Once I have the power to manage the household, I will naturally take care of everything."

"it is good."

As they were talking, a head maid named Siqi suddenly entered and said, "Miss, Third Miss, it's quite lively up ahead. I heard that the Zhang family has sent thirty-two loads of dowry. Right now, Second Master Lian and Aunt Zhang have gone to greet them."

The two sisters looked at each other in astonishment. Tan Chun said, "Let's not talk about Aunt Zhang. I'm afraid the Zhang family is full of sycophants. I'm afraid the family business will be even more difficult to manage in the future."

Yingchun smiled without saying a word. Unlike her third sister Tanchun, she was not strong-willed, nor did she act with the same forceful intensity. In any case, she would simply use Tanchun's strength against her and counter her moves, ensuring that the mistress would suffer in silence one day.

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

Meanwhile, Chen Si left Qiushuangzhai and went to Xiaoxiang Pavilion across the street. Having not visited Daiyu for two days, the two naturally talked for quite a while.

Hearing that the Zhang family had come all the way to deliver her dowry, she felt nothing but contempt. Since Zhang Jingge had left the garrison and lived alone, it was clear the Zhang family didn't treat her well. Now that she was entering the Rongguo Mansion as a concubine, her immediate attempt to curry favor revealed her sycophantic nature.

After talking with Daiyu for a while, Chen Siyuan took his leave and returned to his thatched cottage. A little while later, his maid Yunxiang came to report that Jia Lian was fine, chatting happily with Master Zhang; but Zhang Jinge, on the other hand, had a cold face and didn't say a word from beginning to end, which made Master Zhang so angry that he almost fell over.

After giving Yunxiang a string of coins, Chen Siyuan frowned and thought to himself, "If it were Zhang Jingge instead of You Erjie, their personalities would be completely different. And now that Feng Jie'er is focused on seizing control of the family, I'm afraid Zhang Jingge's fate will also be different from You Erjie's."

After a moment of haphazard thinking, Chen Siyuan temporarily put the matter aside and instead focused on figuring out how to deal with the insidious Granny Hu.

Such a sinister matter requires a suitable person to handle it. However, after pondering for a long time, Chen Siyuan could only rely on Hongyu and Yunxiang. But Chen Siyuan was reluctant to let Hongyu get involved in such sordid matters, and Yunxiang was too young and might not be reliable.

Just as he was feeling troubled, Wu'er came running back: "Master, Miss Bao has sent Sister Ying'er to deliver snowflake yogurt."

"Oh?"

Just as he answered, Ying'er brought in a small food box, placed it on the table, and said with a smile, "Master Yuan, my young lady got some snowflake crisps. Knowing that you like them, she sent me to bring you a plate."

Chen Siyuan's eyes lit up, and he smiled and said, "Go back and thank Sister Bao for me. Yes, Ying'er, come with me to the study, I have something to say to you."

Ying'er responded cheerfully and followed Chen Siyuan into the study.

Chen Siyuan stared intently at Ying'er, making her ears burn and her heart pound. She was a year older than Baochai and knew that she would eventually marry Chen Siyuan along with Baochai, so she couldn't help but harbor some thoughts.

So she said shyly, "Sir... please, please don't look at me like that."

Chen Siyuan pulled Ying'er's hand and sat her down, then said gently, "Ying'er, let me ask you, are there still gambling activities in the manor?"

Ying'er lowered her voice and said, "Of course there are. It's all because of Hu Mama, who works by Xia Jingui's side, who gathers people to go to a side room outside the garden in the middle of the night. They cover the doors and windows with blankets and drink and gamble. Because the Third Miss often patrols the garden, they don't dare to come in."

Chen Siyuan asked, "Does that Granny Hu often show up?"

Ying'er shook her head and said, "That's hard to say. Sometimes it's Baochan who steps in, and sometimes it's Granny Hu... Why does Master Yuan bother to know these things?"

After thinking for a moment, Chen Siyuan got up and found a small packet of powder on the antique shelf. He handed it to Ying'er and said, "This is a sleeping potion. Go back and tell Bao-mei that I want to get rid of that old nanny Hu."

Ying'er was taken aback, but seeing the seriousness on Chen Siyuan's face, she quickly put away the medicine bag and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, Master Yuan, I'll go back to find you right away."

Ying'er rose, curtsied, and hurried away. Chen Siyuan watched her leave the room, thinking to himself, "Baojie is a master of domestic intrigue; she just doesn't usually stoop to such dirty tricks. Now that I've given the order, I'm sure Baojie, with her intelligence, will understand the reason and handle the matter properly."

Leaving aside the humble cottage, let's talk about Ying'er's journey back to Hengwu Garden.

Because of Xue Pan's violent death, Hengwu Garden, which was already like a snow cave, became even more desolate. Fortunately, Chen Siyuan visited every now and then, and some flowers were added to the place, which brought a bit more life to it.

Ying'er lifted the curtain and went inside, secretly giving Baochai a wink. Baochai understood and sent the remaining maids and servants away.

Once only the two of them remained inside, Ying'er presented the medicine packet and recounted Chen Siyuan's instructions.

Finally, he asked in surprise, "Miss, why is Master Yuan getting angry with that completely unrelated Granny Hu?"

Baochai frowned in thought, then looked up and said, "He must have found out that the incident involving Third Sister that day was caused by Granny Hu."

Ying'er was taken aback and frowned, saying, "So that's how it is. That Granny Hu is indeed vicious. No wonder Master Yuan wanted to get rid of her." She paused, then frowned again and asked, "But why did Master Yuan ask you to handle this, Miss?"

Baochai smiled and said, "We're all just lodgers. At least we managed to gather some people around him beforehand. Besides Hongyu, who else can he use? Besides, Hongyu doesn't like gambling. If he just comes to this place rashly, won't it arouse suspicion from others?"

Ying'er relaxed her brows and nodded, saying, "What you say makes sense."

Sister Bao, holding the medicine packet, said, "Besides, he and I... we've never been able to distinguish one another in this life. Whatever he wants to do, I'll help him take care of it."

A pang of pain shot through her heart, a secret regret that she could not be his principal wife, fearing that she would never be destined for that title in this lifetime.

Heartbroken, Baochai suddenly covered her mouth and coughed. At first, it was just an occasional cough, but then it became a violent coughing fit. Ying'er was so frightened that her face changed color and she said, "Oh no, Miss is having an attack! Quickly, get the Cold Fragrance Pill!"

(End of this chapter)