Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 349 The East Wind Sweeps Snow, Obscuring the Vermilion Gate

Chen Siyuan tugged at her delicate hands to examine them, and indeed they were covered in needle marks. He then looked at Baoqin; the young girl had bright eyes and white teeth, yet she deliberately adopted a seductive demeanor, which, far from arousing disgust, actually made her quite amusing.

Chen Siyuan pulled his hand to help him up, saying, "The thought is enough, why stay up all night to finish it? Besides, there are banquets every day during the year, I'm afraid you won't find an opportunity to give it to me?"

Baoqin smiled and said, "I also wanted to give it to my brother as soon as possible, so that he could hang up the new purse on New Year's Day for good luck."

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "It would be impolite not to reciprocate. You just wait." He got up and pressed Baoqin into a chair. Chen Siyuan went to the west wing and returned with a purse embroidered by Qingwen.

He weighed the purse in his hand, then pulled Baoqin's hand and shoved it into her hands. As soon as Baoqin held the purse, she felt its immense weight and opened it in surprise to find it filled with gold melon seeds.

These golden melon seeds probably add up to thirty or forty taels, which is equivalent to three or four hundred taels of silver.

"This is……"

"New Year's money," Chen Siyuan said with a smile. "It's for rewarding the servants and buying snacks. Use it however you like."

Baoqin clutched the double-sided embroidered purse, speechless for a moment. Born into the second branch of the Xue family, she had been wealthy since childhood, but this was the first time she had ever received more New Year's money than she would have ever received herself.

Looking up at Chen Siyuan, she was somewhat puzzled, wondering why Chen Siyuan had given her so many gold melon seeds.

Seeing that she remained silent, Chen Siyuan continued, "Living in the capital is not easy. Besides, a man cannot be without power for a day, and a woman cannot be without money for a day. It's always good for you to keep some savings for yourself." He paused, then added, "You don't need to use your seductive charms to tease people all day long. If you really want to travel the world, I will let you leave when you reach the appropriate age."

"Really?" Baoqin asked incredulously.

Chen Siyuan smiled and nodded. He had been in this world for several years, and before that he had nothing and lived in constant fear, so naturally he was somewhat fond of women. Now, with both Baochai and Lin Daiyu by his side, and surrounded by beautiful wives and maids, how could he lack a woman he liked?

When a person is barefoot, they'll do anything to survive. But once they're well off and wearing shoes, even the most wicked person will try to act respectable. Chen Siyuan, though flexible in his approach, still has a bottom line.

Having already won over Baochai, he naturally paid little attention to Baoqin, who bore a striking resemblance to Baochai.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can go back now. I still need to study." After saying that, Chen Siyuan carried Baoqin to sit down to the side, lifted his robes and sat down, then reached for a book and began to study again.

Baoqin sat to the side, her brows furrowed. She was a little younger than Tanchun, but she was old enough to understand human affairs. Although she was still naive and didn't know what love was, she had developed some affection for Chen Siyuan because of his doting behavior towards her.

She had heard rumors before that the servants in the mansion said Chen Siyuan was handsome and generous, while others said he was vindictive and narrow-minded, and still others said he was lecherous and indulged in debauchery.

But after seeing it for herself, Baoqin felt that most of the rumors were untrue. For example, this lecherous man, with her looks, was spotted by the prefect's son on the way to the capital and immediately demanded to marry her. Yet Chen Siyuan readily promised to let her leave one day… She wondered what he was really thinking.

Out of curiosity, Baoqin was not in a hurry to leave. She rested her cheek on her hand and watched for a while before squatting down and lying on Chen Siyuan's lap, looking up at him with her little face.

Feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, Chen Siyuan reached out and gently pinched Baoqin's nose, saying, "What are you doing again? Why aren't you going back yet?"

Baoqin said, "Going back would be pointless anyway, so it would be more fun to spend some time with my brother."

"Then sit properly and don't disturb my reading."

Baoqin responded and was about to get up when she heard Hongyu outside say, "Master, Miss Bao is here."

Chen Siyuan said "Oh," put down his book, moved Baoqin aside, and got up to go out excitedly. Baoqin was stunned, pouted at Chen Siyuan who was striding away, and then quickly followed him.

Upon entering the hall, they saw Baochai, wearing a plain satin cloak, leading Ying'er, who was carrying a food box, into the room.

"Mother made some new roast goose breast. I thought you like it, so I brought some over... Oh, is Sister Qin here too?" Baochai glanced at Baoqin, who came out from behind Chen Siyuan, and frowned slightly.

Chen Siyuan thought to himself, Baochai is quite jealous, especially wary of Baoqin. If things aren't handled well today, the two sisters might start arguing again. So he ignored Baoqin, stepped forward, grabbed Baochai's soft hand, and said with a smile, "Sister Qin heard that I wasn't spending the New Year at home, so she stayed up all night yesterday to sew a purse and sent it to me. Her fingers are covered in needle marks."

As they were talking, they pulled Bao Jie to sit down.

Baoqin smiled and looked at Baochai, saying, "Auntie is making roast goose breast again? I'll go ask for some more later so I can have some if I get hungry tonight."

Baochai glanced at her and said with a smile, "Then you'd better hurry, little sister. I just happened to run into Yun'er when I left. She's a glutton. If we're late, she might take all the rest."

Baoqin said, "It's alright to eat less this time. I'd rather spend more time talking with you, sister."

Chen Siyuan repeatedly winked at Baoqin, but the girl pretended not to see him and calmly sat down opposite Baochai.

Helpless, Chen Siyuan could only sit beside Baochai and then ordered Hongyu to brew some tea for his daughter.

The tea for the young lady was brewed early in the morning, and it has been steeped four times now, its color being the most vibrant and pleasing. A cup of tea was placed on the table, and as soon as Baochai picked it up, Baoqin, sitting opposite her, said, "The color of this tea is truly delightful."

Sister Bao used the lid of her cup to skim the tea and said, "No matter how delicious it is, you shouldn't rush to drink it, or you might burn your mouth and tongue."

Baoqin seemed not to understand Baochai's implied meaning, and said with a smile, "Perhaps sister can't drink boiling hot tea? Then sister might as well wait a while, there are still quite a few left in the teapot, how about you give this cup to your younger sister?"

Chen Siyuan immediately felt a headache coming on, thinking to himself that the two sisters were indeed fighting again.

Turning to look at Baochai, she saw Baochai raise her eyes and smile, instantly captivating even the most heartless woman. She said, "The tea is piping hot, just hold it in your hands and let it cool a bit... If you want some, wait for the next cup."

Baoqin feigned ignorance and said, "Sister, don't you know I'm an impatient person? How could I possibly wait?"

Baochai said, "Can't wait? Then it's a good time to temper your temper. You should know that you can't eat hot tofu if you're impatient."

If this continued, the two sisters might start arguing. So Chen Siyuan coughed lightly and said, "It's been a while since I've visited your concubine. Is she alright?"

Baochai said, "It's still because of excessive worry. She looks much thinner. I had the imperial physician examine her today, and he only said it was a heart ailment."

Chen Siyuan frowned and said, "Then I'll try to comfort her when I have time." After all, Aunt Xue had given herself to him, so how could Chen Siyuan just stand by and watch her become ill from worry? Chen Siyuan didn't know how to comfort her, nor did he know if being mentally and physically clear-headed would help Aunt Xue temporarily forget the sorrow of losing her son.

Baochai sighed and shook her head, thinking to herself that she couldn't even comfort herself, let alone Chen Siyuan? After all, it was her beloved's good intention, and she couldn't very well refute him to his face.

Looking up, Baochai saw Baoqin looking at her with a half-smile and said, "Sister, you really don't want to eat that roast goose breast?" After saying that, she picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Baoqin smiled and stood up, saying, "Alright, it wouldn't be good for Sister Yun to take it all. Brother, I'll head back now."

Chen Siyuan responded and got up to see her off, while Baochai sat down comfortably.

Unexpectedly, Baoqin took two steps, then suddenly turned around, snatched the teacup from the table, tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp. She then wiped her mouth and said, "It really does have a sweet aftertaste. Thank you, sister."

Sister Bao frowned slightly, then said, "I suppose my sister is really thirsty, she doesn't even mind the tea I left over."

Baoqin said, "How could I possibly dislike such a fine thing?" She turned around and curtsied to Chen Siyuan, saying, "Then I'll head back now. I'll practice properly in the future and embroider another beautiful purse for you, brother."

She rose, smiled, and nodded slightly. Turning back to beckon her maid, Xiao Luo, the girl vanished, leaving behind a trail of fragrance. Chen Siyuan escorted her behind the screen, then returned to observe Baochai's expression. Seeing that she remained calm and composed, he remarked, "Qin'er still has the temper of a child..."

Baochai laughed and said, "I didn't bother arguing with her."

After Chen Siyuan sat down, he took Baochai's hand and said, "It's strange. I just told her that I would let her leave when she reached a certain age. I thought that would fulfill her wish, but I didn't know that this girl would still pretend to be a vixen and cause trouble."

Baochai smiled and said, "She came here for me." She paused and then said, "This girl was originally cheerful and easygoing, but unfortunately my second aunt came from a humble background and was a bit stingy. Qin'er inevitably picked up some of her habits."

"Not of high social standing?"

Baochai hesitated for a moment, then said, "My second uncle married young, but he didn't like his wife and left her neglected in the main courtyard. In just two years, his wife fell ill and died. In less than a year, my second uncle went to my father and went to great lengths to transfer a woman from a musician's household to his own household, first taking her as a concubine, and only after the birth of Tadpole was she made his wife."

My mother once said that my second uncle and my current second aunt had been having an affair for a long time... and that he had been keeping her as a mistress.

Is this a case of favoring a concubine over the wife?

"My family and the second branch of the family have become estranged. Qin and I don't like each other. This is mostly thanks to my good second aunt."

Chen Siyuan put his arm around Baochai's shoulder and said in a low voice, "Now that the imperial merchant's job has fallen to Xue Ke, it can be considered to have met your second aunt's wishes. I don't think there will be any trouble in the future, right?"

Baochai shook her head and said, "It's been more than ten years of grudges. Mother has never given Second Aunt a kind look. How can it be resolved so easily? Just wait and see. If Qin'er really marries into the family in the future, my dear Second Aunt will still have a lot of trouble to make."

There was no point in discussing the future, so the two whispered sweet nothings to each other. Suddenly, Baochai asked, "Are you... planning to marry Second Sister?"

Chen Si remained calm despite the change in appearance and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Baochai said, "Second Sister is good at hiding her talents. Although she managed to deceive Aunt this time, she couldn't hide it from the Old Madam. She has always been hiding her talents, probably intending to show them after she gets married. Now she has suddenly changed her mind. I've thought about it and I'm afraid there's no other reason than that it's because of you."

Chen Siyuan thought to himself, "Sister Bao is indeed precocious; she knew this matter couldn't be kept from her for long." Instead of answering, he asked, "Then, sister, do you think... my marriage with Second Sister is appropriate?"

“That is certainly the most appropriate way,” Baochai said with a smile and a nod.

She knew perfectly well that rumors had been circulating these past few days that the Emperor intended to hold a special imperial examination, and her beloved might very well pass the exam with flying colors next year. If he was still unmarried by then, he might very well be the subject of a marriage proposal.

In this way, if she were to marry into a humble family, not only would Lin Daiyu not be satisfied; but if she were to marry into a wealthy family, wouldn't she be completely subdued?

Baochai was never inferior to anyone in her life, so how could she be willing to humble herself and act like a servant to someone else?
Moreover, Baochai had always harbored lofty ambitions, and it was only because of Xue Pan's unexpected death that she reluctantly agreed to inherit the family line. However, Chen Siyuan later promised that if she gained merit in the future, he would sacrifice his merit to seek an official title for her.

If the new noble lady is strong-willed, she would probably fight to the death to stop this. Rather than that, it would be better to let Chen Siyuan marry his second sister, who is more gentle-willed.

Firstly, they know each other well; secondly, although Yingchun is intelligent, she is not decisive. Once they are married into the family, even if she feels jealous, it is unlikely to cause a major conflict.

Chen Siyuan sighed, "I knew my sister understood my thoughts. The imperial examination is just around the corner. If I am lucky enough to pass, the marriage will have to be put on the agenda. Rather than choosing someone whose background I don't know and who will cause trouble in the future, it's better to settle for second best."

Bao-jie squeezed Chen Siyuan's hand in return and said, "I know, it's been hard on you too."

The two cuddled together for a long time, until it was getting late, at which point Baochai reluctantly took her leave. Because the end of the year was approaching, the household was busy with New Year preparations, and there were no other matters to attend to in the following days.

Before they knew it, it was the 29th of the twelfth lunar month. On this day, Chen Siyuan went to the east courtyard to say goodbye to Madam Xing and made an appointment with her to return to her parents' home together on the second day of the new year. He then returned to the Qingtang thatched cottage and led Hongyu, Xiangling, and Wu'er, who had packed their bags, to their new house.

Upon arriving at his new house, he saw that the door gods, couplets, and plaques had been replaced, and the peach wood charms had been freshly painted.

From the main gate to the rear building, the covered walkways are all adorned with large, bright red lanterns, and even the side gardens are decorated with lanterns.

Sister You Er, Sister You San, and Qingwen greeted Chen Siyuan at the ceremonial gate, and then, like stars surrounding the moon, they escorted him to the main room.

Xiangling, Hongyu, and the others went to make their own arrangements, which is not mentioned here. Third Sister You briefly talked about the preparations in the mansion, and Second Sister You even brought her eldest daughter, who was still in swaddling clothes, to please her.

After a light drink that day, everyone went to bed to prepare for the New Year. The next day was New Year's Eve. At the Rongguo Mansion, those with official titles, including Grandmother Jia, rode in sedan chairs according to their rank to the palace to pay their respects. Afterwards, they went to the Ningguo Mansion to hold an ancestral worship ceremony.

Chen Siyuan, free from official duties, was busy in the morning and, seeing that he hadn't prepared enough fireworks at home, simply went out and bought a whole cartload himself.

Because the household consisted entirely of young women, everyone was overjoyed. As dusk approached, a joyous feast was held in the new house, starting with Tusu wine, auspicious soup, lucky fruits, and Ruyi cakes, followed by sixteen different dishes.

The You sisters, Qingwen, Xiangling, Hongyu, Wu'er, and others all changed into new clothes and dressed up in a riot of colors. The night was filled with noise, laughter, and the sound of firecrackers.

Before the banquet was over, servants came to offer their congratulations. A table nearby was set with New Year's money, purses, and gold and silver ingots; whenever someone came up to kowtow, they would receive a reward.

Although the Chen family's new residence had a small number of people, they still spent three or four hundred taels of silver.

With beautiful women by his side and feeling quite pleased with himself, Chen Siyuan naturally drank a few extra cups that day. When the banquet was over, Chen Siyuan and the women observed the New Year's Eve vigil together. Looking at the charming and gentle women on one side, and the dignified and beautiful ones on the other, he couldn't help but be overcome with lust. So, embracing them on either side, he unwittingly ended up sleeping with the second and third young ladies, wrapped in their quilts—but that's another story.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, a servant boy named Qingyu came looking for her early in the morning. He had received news from Xiren that the old lady had gone to the palace to pay her respects that morning and heard from Consort Xiande that the Dowager Empress was seriously ill. The Emperor had issued an edict urging the Zhen family of Jinling to send female relatives to the palace to attend to her. He had also drafted an imperial edict to hold a special imperial examination next year to select learned scholars from all over the country.

Leaving aside the matter of the imperial examination, Chen Siyuan frowned deeply when he thought of the Zhen family. According to his plan, as long as he dealt with Jia Zhen and Jia She, the uncle and nephew, the emperor's anger would subside, and he wouldn't dare to confiscate the Rongguo Mansion's property again. In this way, he could also protect Madam Xing and Li Wan.

But he still remembered that in the original text, the women of the Zhen family sent several boxes of valuables to the Rongguo Mansion. Helping the family of a disgraced official to hide valuables was sure to bring trouble upon themselves! Although Grandmother Jia was old and shrewd, she was limited by her experience and couldn't quite grasp the gravity of the matter.

Moreover, the Jia and Zhen families are old relatives, and as the old saying goes, even strangers shouldn't interfere with relatives. If Chen Siyuan wants to sow discord between the two families, he will probably have to put in a lot of effort.

The first day of the month passed quickly, and the next day was Madam Xing's homecoming. Chen Siyuan waited early in the morning in front of the Rongguo Mansion's ceremonial gate. After meeting with Madam Xing, they then took a carriage to the Xing family home.

After a year's absence, the Xing family's old house had become even more dilapidated. Madam Xing looked around and was shocked to find that some items in the old house were missing!
It goes without saying that Xing Dequan must have taken it out to sell.

Although she already knew what kind of person her younger brother was, Madam Xing was still quite angry. When Xing Sanjie and her family came to visit, Xing Sanjie even pulled Xing Dequan's ear and gave him a good scolding.

Chen Siyuan kept saying things like "It's the New Year" and "My uncle has it tough too," and managed to put the matter aside for the time being.

But even as noon approached, Xing Erjie and her family still hadn't returned home.

Madam Xing already disliked her second brother-in-law, and she immediately became so angry that she made a series of sarcastic remarks. In the end, she sent someone to meet him on the road.

Around noon, just as the banquet began, a servant came in and said, "Madam, Second Sister has sent word that she has caught a cold and is unable to walk, so she won't be returning home today."

Madam Xing said coldly, "What an air of superiority!"

Xing Sanjie said, "Second brother-in-law has always been fond of taking advantage of others. He never misses a visit home, and unless he has done something wrong, he would still come even if Second Sister is sick. This year he hasn't come, so I'm afraid something is amiss!"

(End of this chapter)