Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 346 Warm Bed, Melting Snow, Comforting Xiaoxiang

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "It's just a minor scratch; the blood will clot in a little while."

Daiyu feigned reproach, and Xueyan, who was accompanying her, said, "Master Yuan, you must be careful. I have heard that someone accidentally scratched himself, and the wound festered within a few days, and he died within ten days."

Zijuan frowned and spat, "Pah, pah, pah, Grandpa Yuan is blessed with good fortune and a long life. Stop saying such unlucky things."

Xueyan also felt it was an ominous sign, and quickly stuck out her tongue to cover her mouth. Daiyu saw that the wound was quite deep, and as the blood gushed out, the flesh inside could be seen, which made her heart palpitate. She frowned and said, "It's not good to bandage it outside. Come with me."

After saying that, he turned around, grabbed Chen Siyuan, and walked back.

"Eh..." Chen Siyuan was about to refuse, but feeling a slight force on his wrist, he stopped himself from speaking. Because Daiyu was young, although he often visited and took care of her over the past year, he rarely talked about love with her.

The girl is so concerned about him, why should he refuse?

He smiled and followed Daiyu toward Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Upon entering Xiaoxiang Pavilion, Chen Siyuan said, "Don't delay your sister's affairs."

Daiyu rolled her eyes and said, "It's just to visit my grandmother. I'm so bored at home every day, what important business could I possibly have?"

As they were talking, Zijuan brought over gauze, and Xueyan eagerly fetched some wound medicine. Both maids wanted to help, but Daiyu insisted on doing it herself. So the wound medicine was applied, and the gauze was wrapped around and around again.

Daiyu was quick-witted, but this was her first time bandaging someone, so she wrapped the hand up rather tightly. Chen Siyuan looked at her hand, which was wrapped up like a pig's trotter, and couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

Daiyu couldn't help but blush, and said, "Wrap it up more to prevent the wind and cold from entering the body."

Chen Siyuan shook the pig's trotter and joked, "Let alone wind evil, this stance is simply impervious to swords and spears, and immune to water and fire."

Daiyu covered her mouth and laughed, "It's a bit ugly that it's wrapped up. Zijuan is skillful, why don't we take it apart and have Zijuan re-wrap it?"

Chen Siyuan quickly put away the pig's trotter and said, "That's perfect. Yes, I went to the new house today and almost finished buying the New Year's gifts. Your teacher was just appointed Grand Marshal, and I expect his door will be overwhelmed with visitors during the New Year. So I thought I'd take advantage of these next few days to send the New Year's gifts over."

If my sister brings anything along, she can send it over later, and I'll send it to her as well.

Daiyu asked in surprise, "Teacher, you've been appointed to a high-ranking official position in the capital? And you're the Grand Marshal? When did you receive this news?"

Chen Siyuan said, "I read it in the official gazette this morning, it can't be wrong."

Daiyu first breathed a sigh of relief, then asked in a low voice, "What official position did Lord Wang receive?"

"Unified control of nine provinces".

With her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, Daiyu said, "No wonder my aunt looked me over quite a bit when I bumped into her this morning. I was wondering what it was about, and now I realize it must be because of this."

Chen Siyuan asked with concern, "Is Madam making things difficult for you? She's short-sighted, a bit clueless, and too selfish, always favoring the Wang family. But with fewer people around to instigate her, she only makes a few sarcastic remarks. With the old lady keeping her in check, she can't cause any trouble for now."

Daiyu sighed, "It's just living under someone else's roof. I've gotten used to it these past few years. What's a few more years?"

Chen Siyuan could naturally sense the melancholy in Daiyu's heart. A proper young lady from an official family had fallen to the point of living under someone else's roof and being at the mercy of others. Not to mention someone as perceptive as Daiyu, even someone as open-minded as Xiangyun would probably not be able to bear it.

Feeling pity for Daiyu, Chen Siyuan quietly reached out and took her soft hand, whispering, "Don't worry, sister, I will take good care of you for the next two years. In the future, I will make sure you live a carefree and comfortable life."

The two were so intimate that Xueyan and Zijuan, who were standing nearby, covered their mouths and chuckled. They exchanged a glance and then retreated. Daiyu's pretty face also flushed red. She tried to pull her hand away, but Chen Siyuan held it firmly.

Fortunately, the two maids were sensible and had already left, otherwise she would have lost face long ago.

"You, you should let go first. It would be bad if someone saw us."

Chen Siyuan smiled, but gripped the delicate hand in his hand even tighter. He said, "Didn't you visit the old lady yesterday? Why are you going again today?"

Daiyu turned her head away and whispered, "Yuanyang's mother is seriously ill. I noticed that she hasn't been in a good mood these past two days, so I went over to talk to her for a while."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "My sister is so understanding. I wonder who comes to comfort you when you're feeling down."

Daiyu thought for a moment and said, "Two years ago, I could only keep it to myself, but now I have Sister Bao to talk to me often."

Chen Siyuan leaned closer and said mischievously, "Just Bao Meimei? Meimei really has no conscience."

Daiyu leaned back in embarrassment, glancing at Chen Siyuan as she raised her sleeve to cover half her face, and said, "How can I explain such things to you, a young lady? You..."

"Sigh~" Chen Siyuan frowned and sighed, "It's still a bit early. I think we can get closer after my sister gets married."

Daiyu said angrily, "It's just a hand injury, not a brain injury. How could you say such frivolous things so casually?"

Chen Siyuan said, "We were already engaged, how can you say it's frivolous?"

Daiyu, unable to bear the embarrassment any longer, stood up and pushed Chen Siyuan, saying, "I still need to see Yuanyang, you should go back quickly."

Chen Siyuan got up with a smile and was about to take his leave when a commotion came from outside. Xueyan ran out to take a look and came back with a smile, saying, "Miss, a nanny brought in a big, strange-looking thing. I don't know what it's for."

"A big item?"

Daiyu muttered as she looked at Chen Siyuan. Remembering that Chen Siyuan had said earlier that it was inconvenient to move around in winter and that he would send her something, she immediately knew that it must be this item.

Chen Siyuan wasn't in a hurry to leave. After a short while, two rough-looking old women carried a huge object inside. Since the hall wasn't suitable for displaying it, Daiyu thought for a moment and then ordered it to be carried into the study.

The object fell against the wall; it had a solid wheel at the back and a handle and a seat at the front. Daiyu couldn't immediately tell what it was for.

Zijuan brought the silver box and gave it to the two maids as a reward. The two maids thanked her profusely and left.

Once everyone had left, Daiyu tugged at Chen Siyuan's sleeve and pulled him closer, asking, "What exactly is this for?"

Chen Siyuan helped Daiyu onto the seat, arranging her to sit properly before saying, "Sister, try pedaling." Daiyu did as he was told, the rear wheel slowly turning, each pedal stroke requiring considerable effort. After only the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, her pretty face was covered in fine beads of sweat.

Daiyu, being young and weak, immediately came down panting, found a handkerchief to wipe away her sweat, and said, "Just stepping on it is fine, why make such a fuss?"

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "Sister, why don't you think about this? If you add wheels to the front and put down the support frame at the back, wouldn't this thing be able to move forward by stepping on it?"

Daiyu blinked and immediately laughed, "That makes perfect sense."

She glanced at Chen Siyuan, feeling both shy and incredibly pleased. Creating such an object would be incredibly time-consuming and laborious, not to mention the immense effort involved. The fact that he would go to such lengths for her showed how much he cared for her.

Chen Siyuan did not linger any longer, cupped his hands in farewell and said, "Then, sister, take some time to tread this path whenever you have a moment; it will surely strengthen your body. I have just returned, so I will head back to my thatched cottage now."

Daiyu responded in a voice barely audible, and hurriedly sent Xueyan to deliver it. As soon as Chen Siyuan left, Daiyu was pondering the shape of the exercise bike when she heard a chattering sound approaching. Soon after, Xichun and Xiangyun arrived together.

As soon as they entered, Xiangyun teased, "Brother Yuan really cares about Sister Lin. He came to see you as soon as he got back to the manor."

Xichun said cheerfully, "I heard from Brother Yuan that he sent over a novel item. Sister Lin, where is it?"

Zijuan greeted the two and led them to the study. She pointed and said, "Look, this is it. They said it's for our young lady to use to exercise in the winter when it's inconvenient to move around."

Xiangyun, being the most active person, immediately stepped forward, felt around, and mounted the horse, then asked, "How do I use this thing?"

Daiyu smiled and gave some pointers, and Xiangyun quickly began to pedal. Although younger than Daiyu, Xiangyun was healthy and pedaled continuously, and the heavy rear wheel spun rapidly. Xiangyun became happier and happier as she pedaled, and soon she was drenched in sweat, giggling incessantly.

Little Xichun looked on with longing and exclaimed, "Sister Yun, let me play for a while too!"

Xiangyun said, "This thing is very interesting. Wait a moment, and I'll give it to you when I'm tired."

Then Xueyan said, "Fourth Miss, Miss Yun, just now Master Yuan said that this thing also has wheels attached to the front, so it can move forward when stepped on."

Xiangyun immediately became interested and pressed Xueyan for answers. After she understood, she felt a longing in her heart, but then suddenly became saddened.

She was engaged at a young age. Xiangyun only knew the man's name, but had never even met him, let alone sent him gifts every now and then.

When Xiangyun was still young and naive, she didn't know what love was. However, she had lost both her parents at a young age and was first fostered by Grandmother Jia, and then taken to the Marquis of Baoling's mansion. She was constantly on the move and dependent on others. Fortunately, Xiangyun was simple-minded and easygoing, otherwise she might have become another Daiyu.

She glanced at Daiyu, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Because of Daiyu, she had been forced to leave the Rongguo Mansion and be fostered in her second uncle's home. Therefore, Xiangyun had harbored thoughts of competing with her time and again. But ever since Daiyu finalized her marriage, moved out of the green gauze curtain, and distanced herself from Baoyu, Xiangyun finally gave up her thoughts of competing with her.

Soon after, Xiangyun finalized her marriage to Chen Yejun. As Xiangyun grew older, although she occasionally bickered and teased Daiyu in the past six months, she no longer had that provocative heart.

Now, Xiangyun found herself feeling envious of Chen Siyuan. She thought to herself, "Why can't I have such a thoughtful, considerate, and gentle man by my side?"

Thinking this, Xiangyun felt extremely upset. After exchanging a few perfunctory words, she pulled Fourth Miss Xichun away.

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

The next day, because he couldn't get his hands wet, Chen Siyuan let Xiangling help him wash up and sit in a chair to wait for breakfast.

Soon, Wu'er brought over a food box. When she saw his hand, which was bandaged up like a pig's trotter, she immediately covered her mouth and laughed, saying, "Grandpa, you should re-bandage it quickly. You probably won't even be able to hold chopsticks like this!"

Chen Siyuan smiled and shook his head, saying, "Then we won't use chopsticks, we'll use a spoon."

Just kidding. Lin Daiyu went to great lengths to wrap herself up like that, so you have to wear it on your hand for Lin Daiyu to see for a couple of days. If you find it nice, you take it off.
Xiangling said, "It's Lin's intention, after all. Wu'er, please stop trying to persuade her."

After breakfast, Hongyu came back again: "Master, Siqi just said that the manor needs to allocate some silver coins, some in the shape of plum blossoms, some in the shape of crabapple blossoms, some in the shape of 'pen and ingot ruyi', and some in the shape of 'eight treasures and spring.' The second young lady asked if you want to allocate some for rewards?"

After a brief calculation, Chen Siyuan instructed, "Take three hundred taels of silver notes and have Second Sister help us transfer some silver coins. We'll use this for our New Year's bonuses."

Hongyu pondered, "Miss Bao's birthday is in the first month, and Miss Lin's is in the second month. They are all in quick succession. I think it would be better to ask for more money so that we don't run out later."

"Alright, then five hundred taels... is that enough?"

Hongyu smiled and said, "That's definitely enough."

Hongyu found the silver box, took out five hundred taels of silver notes, and went to take care of it. After a while, Yunxiang came to deliver a message, saying that yesterday on the way back, Chen Siyuan sent Qingyu to deliver a visiting card to Jia Yucun's residence. This morning, Jia Yucun replied with a card, inviting her to come to his residence for a chat the day after tomorrow.

Chen Siyuan thought to himself, Jia Yucun's appointment as Grand Marshal of the Ministry of War, assisting in military affairs and advising on state affairs, is a meteoric rise to power. However, this man lacks depth and has a meager background, so this congratulatory gift must be more substantial.

After a while, Hongyu finished her errand and replied, then suddenly said, "I heard that the Hua family is having a funeral today. Xiren has really been burdened by her family this year."

Chen Siyuan asked in surprise, "What do you mean by that?"

Hongyu said, "It was fine before Miss Xia came. Xiren knew Bao Erye's temperament well and could always handle him. But after Miss Xia came, Xiren was helpless. Instead, every time Bao Erye caused trouble, he would be scolded by Madam."

Yes, Xia Jingui was a capricious and ruthless woman. One by one, Qingwen and the others were sent away, leaving only Xiren as the most favored servant in Qixianzhai. Xia Jingui was determined to become the second mistress of the house; how could she allow a mere maid to surpass her?
In the original text, Xia Jingui didn't even spare Xiangling, so how could she possibly let Xiren go?

Thinking of Xiren, Chen Siyuan pondered to himself, "We've had a few fleeting encounters, and now that Xiren has lost her mother, I can't just ignore her. Besides, Xia Jingui has left the Rongguo Mansion and will probably only return when she marries into the family. There will be many situations where Xiren will be of use in the future, so it's not good to be too distant."

As it was late afternoon, upon hearing that the Hua family had returned from the funeral procession, Chen Siyuan led Qingyu straight to the Hua family's residence.

Upon arriving nearby, they saw a teahouse, so Chen Siyuan found a private room to sit down and sent Qingyu to invite Xiren.

On the day the Hua family returned from the funeral, Xiren naturally wept bitterly. In an effort to prolong her mother's life, Xiren had tried every means possible this past year, spending money like water, but she still didn't make it to the New Year before her mother passed away.

Just as he was feeling heartbroken, his sister-in-law came looking for him and said, "Master Bao sent a servant to invite you. He said that it is inconvenient for Master Bao to come and see you, so he wants you to come out and meet him."

"Master Bao's servant?"

(End of this chapter)