Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 340 Managing the Year's Affairs and Welcoming Spring: The First Steps in Taking Over the Household
Evening, Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Chen Siyuan slumped on the table, while Daiyu across from him held the dice in both hands and shook them haphazardly. When she tossed them up, she shouted "Four, five, six!" But the dice spun around wildly and when they finally stopped, they were just a one.

Daiyu frowned in distress and moved a white piece on the chessboard one space. When it was Chen Siyuan's turn, he casually tossed a five, and a corner of the chessboard was already piled with black pieces. Chen Siyuan raised an eyebrow and said happily, "Oh, thank you for letting me win, Sister Lin."

Daiyu snorted coldly and said, "It's strange, how come you're so lucky today?"

The two were playing a game of Go, which was similar to a dice-based version of checkers. The number rolled on the dice determined how many steps to take, and the player who could fill the bottom corner of the opponent's board won.

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "My sister won last time too, which shows that luck comes in cycles. Today it's my turn."

Daiyu gave a soft snort and picked up the dice to examine them closely. Chen Siyuan coughed lightly and quickly snatched the dice away, thinking to himself that it was not good to let Daiyu examine them so closely, otherwise she would definitely be able to tell that the dice were filled with lead.

So Chen Siyuan changed the subject and said, "You know about what happened this afternoon...?"

Daiyu shook her head and said, "What's there to say? All this scheming and plotting will only lead to losing more than you gain."

Isn't this a case of losing more than you gain? An unmarried girl has lost her chastity, which ruins the reputation of Xia Jingui and Baoyu. It's one thing for Xia Jingui to demean herself, but she also drags Baoyu down with her. It's not easy to investigate now, but how can the old lady and madam give Xia Jingui a good face later?
Although Daiyu didn't care about the affairs of the Rongguo Mansion, she had heard about what was happening outside. And being a clever girl, she could easily see that this was caused by the power struggle between Lady Wang and Sister Feng.
Seeing that Madam Wang's behavior is becoming increasingly wicked, it's hard to guarantee that she won't raise Xia Jingui to death one day!

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "My sister is indeed intelligent."

Daiyu said smugly, "I am certainly clever, but I don't know why you came here today. Why didn't you go to see Sister Bao?"

Chen Siyuan casually said, "I saw her the day before yesterday, so I might as well come and see my sister today."

The truth was that Baochai had started menstruating these past two days. During the first two days of a woman's period, she had to stay in her room and dare not move around. Although Baochai was close to Chen Siyuan, she did not want him to see her in such a disheveled state. So, after Chen Siyuan parted from Yingchun in the afternoon, he went to look for her, but Baochai refused to let him in.

Daiyu took a sip of tea herself, feeling a little smug, and then poured another cup for Chen Siyuan.

Just then, Zijuan entered with a smile and said, "Miss, Master Yuan, it's getting late."

Chen Siyuan then said, "Please go and tell the small kitchen to bring me my portion." He then turned to Daiyu and said, "I'm too lazy to go out, so I'll just have some late snacks with you tonight."

Daiyu said, "You can stay here if you want, I won't kick you out." After a pause, she said to Zijuan, "Take the money and have Sister Liu prepare a serving of winter bamboo shoots."

Zijuan agreed and happily turned to leave.

Chen Siyuan and Daiyu were tidying up the chess pieces. After removing the chessboard, Daiyu rested her chin on her hand and complained, "I hate winter the most. I can't go anywhere."

Chen Siyuan said, "My sister is much healthier now. Even if she can't go out, she should still move around in her room more."

Daiyu pointed casually and said, "There's only so much space. I'm not a blindfolded donkey. How can I move around much? I might as well read a book for a while longer."

“That’s true,” Chen Siyuan thought for a moment, then smiled and said, “I’ve got it. In a few days I’ll make something for my sister that won’t take up much space and will allow her to move around freely.”

Daiyu blinked and said playfully, "Could it be that you can also make such a precious ring or a Sumeru-sized treasure?"

Chen Siyuan smiled and kept everyone in suspense, saying, "I can't say, I can't say. My sister will be able to see it in a few days."

As they were talking, Xueyan lifted the curtain and came inside, saying, "Miss, young master, I just saw several stewardesses heading towards Zhuijin Tower again, carrying large and small bundles, with quite a few congratulatory gifts in their hands."

Daiyu clasped her hands together and laughed, "Second Sister, you've struck it rich! You must be the host one of our feasts sometime in the future."

Chen Siyuan smiled and nodded, but Xueyan frowned and said, "The second young lady and the third young lady are really different in temperament. When the third young lady was in charge of the household, she would always return the gifts to whoever brought them. But with the second young lady, she accepts all gifts, no matter who brings them."

Daiyu laughed and said, "It's just a matter of different paths leading to the same destination. Accepting all gifts is the same as not accepting any gifts at all."

Xueyan was confused and couldn't understand what Daiyu meant.

Chen Siyuan looked at Daiyu with a smile, his heart filled with even greater joy. Putting aside other matters, after two years of recuperation, Daiyu's health had improved significantly, her face had lost its sickly appearance, and she looked much more cheerful.

She was both well-educated and unconventional; both clever and eccentric, yet never overstepping the bounds of propriety. One can imagine that this was how she was in Yangzhou when her parents were still alive.
Daiyu suddenly looked at Chen Siyuan, slightly embarrassed, and said, "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Chen Siyuan glanced around with a smile and noticed that many leaves had fallen from the large-leafed plants in the study. He pointed to one of them and said with a laugh, "It gets boring to always play Go. How about we play a game of grass and flowers next time?"

Daiyu glanced back and covered her mouth with a laugh, saying, "With only these two pots, I'm afraid we'll have to resort to a fight."

The game of grass fighting is divided into literary and martial arts. The former picks flowers and then names them, while the latter crosses their leaf stalks and binds them together; whoever's leaf stalk breaks loses.

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "Isn't that perfect? ​​Even literary contests require a lot of thought, while martial contests rely entirely on eyesight and luck, making them much more enjoyable to play around with."

Before Daiyu could respond, Zijuan had already returned, carrying two food boxes and placing them on the table. She laughed and said, "Luckily I arrived early and just happened to run into Wu'er carrying the food boxes, otherwise I'm afraid I would have had to go to Qingtang Thatched Cottage." She paused, then added, "Yes, just now I saw Sister Liu carrying a food box and heading towards Zhuijin Tower."

The servants of the Rongguo Mansion were known for their sycophancy and contempt. Yingchun had only received the token and key in the afternoon when the usually quiet Zhuijinlou was suddenly bustling with activity. Thinking back on the past, it truly makes one sigh.

Chen Siyuan and Daiyu exchanged a glance, neither of them speaking. Two maids then laid out the food box. Chen Siyuan eagerly picked up a piece of winter bamboo shoot with his chopsticks, and while eating, he kept stealing glances at Daiyu, which immediately made Daiyu blush again.

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Zhuijinlou.

A bowl of steamed sweet cheese was slammed down in front of Yingchun. Siqi, looking up, spat, "Tch! You old hag! When the young lady caught a cold, she wouldn't even give her a bowl of ginger-stewed pears. But now that the young lady is in charge, she immediately brought over this steamed sweet cheese." She turned to Yingchun and whispered, "Young lady, find a reason to send that Sister Liu away and find someone else to manage the small kitchen."

Xiuju chimed in, "That's right, that's right. Miss, you shouldn't forgive Sister Liu just because of this small gift."

Yingchun glanced at the two of them with a smile. Not to mention Xiuju, she always followed Siqi's lead. If Siqi went east, Xiuju would never go west. The reason why Siqi treated Sister Liu so badly was because Liu Wu'er was now in Chen Siyuan's room.

Siqi felt that she was not as beautiful as Liu Wu'er, and she also felt that she could not compete with Hongyu and Xiangling, so she was determined to drive Liu Wu'er away, so that she could be promoted from a maid to a concubine in the future.

Yingchun, being perceptive, didn't expose them directly, but said, "They're just opportunists. If we follow your logic, wouldn't the whole household be at odds?"

Siqi wanted to say something more, but when she met Yingchun's smiling eyes, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

After setting out the food box, Siqi then said, "Now that you're in charge of the household, Miss, you shouldn't spend too much time on it. You should spend more time with Master Yuan."

Yingchun shook her head and said, "That's wrong. What Brother Yuan wants is a capable wife who can handle both domestic and external affairs, not a concubine who spends her time vying for his favor."

Xiuju asked in surprise, "Miss, your explanation sounds novel. May I ask what the reasoning behind it is?"

Yingchun picked up her teacup, took a sip, and smiled, "Since ancient times, the first wife has been able to manage the household, control the inner quarters, subdue the concubines, manage the family business, deal with the families of officials, and, when necessary, contact relatives and friends on behalf of her husband."

Even if such a wife is not favored by her husband, those who know the situation will still treat her with respect and always maintain a sense of decorum.

If he were to be married to a muddle-headed husband who favors his concubine over his wife, he would certainly not fare well. But do you think Brother Yuan is either aware of the situation or simply muddle-headed?

Xiuju quickly replied, "Master Yuan is a man of exceptional character and ability; he's certainly not one of those muddle-headed fools." Yingchun clasped her hands together and laughed, "Isn't that it? It's clear that the most urgent matter now is to heal the Rongguo Mansion. He has already promised that even if my feelings for him fade in the future, he will still marry me as his first wife. Why not leave these marital feelings for later, and carefully nurture them after we're married?"

Siqi and Xiuju exchanged a glance, feeling that something was amiss, but they couldn't quite put their finger on it.

Yingchun continued, “You think it’s inappropriate, probably because you’ve read too many storybooks and think that once talented men and beautiful women get married, all that’s left at home is love and affection. In reality, no matter how solid that love and affection is, it will eventually become bland one day.”

Brother Yuan's family is small; once I marry into the family, I will be the principal wife and mistress. I only need to manage things well inside and out, and he will naturally respect me. Wouldn't that be a hundred times better than our current life?"

Xiuju frowned and said, "Miss—"

Before she could finish speaking, Siqi grabbed her arm and said, "I think what you said makes sense. If you are going to be the first wife, you shouldn't act like those vixens vying for favor."

Siqi thought to herself, "Master Yuan has a unique taste. He prefers men as tall and robust as myself. If my daughter doesn't compete for his favor, then this competition for his affections might fall on my shoulders. If I'm lucky enough to have a son or daughter first, and my daughter still doesn't have any children, then maybe my child will become the eldest son!"
Xiuju was puzzled, but since Siqi had said so, she couldn't say anything more.

Just then, an old woman downstairs called out, "Miss, Lin Zhixiao's wife and Wu Xingdeng's wife have come to visit."

Yingchun smiled and said, "They've come to deliver gifts again. Quickly greet them for me."

The two maids agreed and hurried downstairs to greet her. Yingchun smiled and picked up a black piece and placed it on the chessboard. The game she had just finished playing against Xing Xiuyan that day had suddenly become much clearer with this piece.

The smile on her face vanished. Hearing the approaching footsteps, Yingchun suddenly turned her head to look into the inner room. Separated by a wall, Xing Xiuyan lived on the other side. Yingchun was slightly annoyed. This Sister Xing had instigated and encouraged her several times before, and now that she had finally made up her mind and gone all in, Sister Xing had backed down again.

That's really infuriating!

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The next day, Yingchun dressed up early and, accompanied by her maid, went to the Furen Yude Hall. Madam Wang and Li Wan arrived shortly after. In front of all the stewards, Madam Wang instructed Yingchun to take charge of the household affairs from now on.

The managers were clearly divided, exchanging knowing glances and knowing that with the gentle and mild-mannered Second Miss in charge, things would surely be much easier from now on.

After Madam Wang went to the old lady's room to establish the proper etiquette, only Yingchun and Li Wan remained in the hall. As the end of the year was approaching and there were many household affairs to attend to, Li Wan was worried that Yingchun, being new to managing the household, might not handle things properly, so she assisted her for quite some time.

After dealing with the general affairs, Yingchun said to the stewards, "As you all know, I'm just being put in this position now. Once Sister Feng recovers from her illness, I'll hand over the stewardship to her. Since I'm taking up this post so hastily, let's just follow the old rules and act accordingly."

A stewardess stepped forward and asked, "Second Miss, is it in accordance with the Second Mistress's rules or the Third Miss's rules?"

Yingchun frowned and said, "Is there a difference between the two?"

The servants below chirped back, saying that Tan Chun's rules were too strict and that the rules set by the Second Mistress when she was in charge of the household were much better.

Yingchun raised her hand to stop the noise and said, "If you ask me, it's really not good to keep changing these rules. First, with all the changes, everyone is at a loss; second, the old lady praised Third Sister twice before, saying that Third Sister manages the household well. If I change it back, I'm afraid it will be difficult to explain to the old lady."

Below, there was another uproar, with complaints pouring in.

Li Wan, who was standing to the side, advised, "Second sister, Third sister is straightforward and does everything herself. Now that you are in charge of the household, I'm afraid the rules won't be changed."

Yingchun smiled and nodded, saying, "Don't worry, sister-in-law, I have a way."

Before the words were even finished, an old woman shouted, "Pah! You cunning and sly servants, you all say that the Third Young Lady's rules are bad, but in reality, it's just that they've hindered your slacking off. If I were to say, the Third Young Lady's rules are excellent; at least when she was in charge of the household, she never shortchanged us in the east wing!"

Yingchun looked up and saw Wang Shanbao's wife leading her two daughters-in-law out from the crowd.

The old woman was arrogant and righteous, which immediately angered the group of stewardesses who started cursing her.

Wang Shanbao's wife, Qin Xian's wife, and Qin Yu's wife were no pushovers either; the three women, mother and daughter-in-law, immediately started hurling insults at the group of old women. Siqi, who was beside Yingchun, couldn't hold back any longer and joined in, spitting as she spoke.

These three, grandfather, grandmother, and granddaughter, were exceptionally strong. Siqi, in particular, was tall and robust, standing there like an iron tower, her aura alone was unmatched.

Zhou Rui's wife and Wu Xingdeng's wife, who originally intended to give Yingchun a hard time, quickly spoke up when they saw the situation was not going well: "Second Miss, Siqi is too domineering. Aren't you going to do something about it?"

Yingchun then stood up and pressed her hand down to stop the argument, speaking softly, "Both sides have their own reasons, and I don't know what to do for the moment. If we change things rashly, I'm afraid it will displease the old lady and the madam. I think we should do this: keep the rules as they are, and I will have someone draw up a list of general affairs, so that the managers in each department can work according to the list every day. Those who do well will receive ten taels of silver as a share of the monthly allowance next month."

He paused, then added, "The number of people sharing the profits shouldn't be too large. How about we set it at five for now? The top winner gets four taels, and the rest get less each time, okay?"

As soon as these words were spoken, a murmur of discussion immediately broke out below.

Wang Shanbao's wife then said, "Miss, you mustn't. Whether these household chores are done well or not, they can just say whatever they want."

Yingchun pretended to think it over and then said, "What Granny Wang said is very true. How about this, Granny Wang can select a few people to supervise the daily affairs?"

Wang Shanbao's wife was overjoyed and immediately knelt down and kowtowed, saying, "Don't worry, young lady, with this old servant watching over you, I will definitely not let these cunning people fool you!"

Yingchun smiled and waved her hand, saying, "Then let's leave it at that for now. If it doesn't work out in the future, we can discuss and make changes. I'm tired too, so let's call it a day."

After saying this, Yingchun nodded to Li Wan, and the two sisters-in-law left the Furen Yude Hall first. Along the way, Li Wan stole glances at Yingchun several times, thinking to herself that this second young lady was really good at hiding her true intentions, and she wondered where she learned this skill of being cunning and shrewish.

Just then, the maid Xiuju came running up and said, "Miss, Madam Xia is here with a gloomy face. She's headed straight for Madam's courtyard!"

Yingchun nodded, secretly calculating. With the end of the year approaching, Xia Jingui would have to go home for a while, probably not returning to Rongguo Mansion until after the first month of the lunar calendar. This would give her a full month and a half to make her plans... That would be enough. Even if Xia Jingui wanted to do something bad, she wouldn't have a chance.

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Sister Feng's children's courtyard.

After receiving the reward money, Ding Daojian cupped his hands in farewell and said, "Second Madam, I will now return home."

Sister Feng stood up and said, "Wait a minute... Doctor Ding, is Second Master's poison... truly incurable?"

Ding Daojian frowned and shook his head, saying, "I just examined the Second Master, and I'm afraid he has been taking cottonseed oil for at least four or five years. In that case, the toxins in the oil have invaded his internal organs, and I'm afraid it's too late to save him."

Sister Feng bit her lower lip, extremely unwilling, and asked with red eyes, "Then Second Master really can't have any children?"

Ding Daojian stroked his beard and said, "That's hard to say... Second Master Lian is in his prime, what if something happens to him? The two prescriptions I wrote earlier were for nourishing the body. Perhaps with careful recuperation, Second Master will be able to have offspring in the future."

How could Sister Feng not understand such comforting words? Suppressing her turmoil, she grabbed the back of the chair to stop swaying and waved her hand, saying, "Ping'er, see Doctor Ding off for me."

Ding Daojian bowed again before following Ping'er away.

As soon as the person left, Sister Feng squinted her phoenix eyes, her face frosty, and slammed her hand heavily on the kang table, muttering, "What a vicious woman! You plotted against my offspring, and I will repay you in kind!"

(End of this chapter)