Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 35 Please ask
The drinking session lasted until late at night, and only then did they disperse drunkenly. Perhaps due to a past life, Chen Siyuan was now an exceptionally skilled drinker, capable of consuming a thousand cups without getting drunk.

Back in his room, Chen Siyuan, who had been dazed by drunkenness, suddenly sobered up. He thought to himself, these three men are strong and experienced in battle, and they are rare thugs. Although Ma Panlong was slightly wary, Qian Feihu and Xu Dabiao had just become brothers with him.

As the saying goes, one must make friends thoroughly. If today we help him out, drink with him, and tomorrow we give him a generous gift before he leaves, then isn't that the foundation of our friendship? If he gets into trouble someday, how can we three just sit back and watch?

After secretly calculating, Chen Siyuan fell into a deep sleep. The next morning, Chen Siyuan found Jia Yun, handed him a silver note, and instructed him to do this and that.

Jia Yun was puzzled, but he did not ask any more questions. He took the banknote and rode out to do as he was told.

After mid-morning, Ma Panlong and the other three woke up one after another and came together to say goodbye to Chen Siyuan.

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "It felt like we were all old friends right away. If you need anything in the future, just come to Rongguo Mansion and find me."

Now that the three of them were sober, the "brotherly" talk they had at the table yesterday naturally didn't count anymore. Even though they were saying "sure, sure," their faces had regained a touch of shyness.

Chen Siyuan did not reveal the truth and escorted the three men straight to the gate of Tiekan Temple. As the three were about to set off, Chen Siyuan suddenly stopped them, saying, "Wait a minute."

As he spoke, he waved to Jia Yun, and a servant brought three fine horses.

"This..." Ma Panlong was stunned.

Qian Feihu and Xu Dabiao were even more moved.

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "My servant was ignorant and disturbed you three yesterday. As distant relatives of the Jia family, I cannot punish you arbitrarily. These three horses are my apology. You must accept them."

Ma Panlong said, "Mr. Chen has passed away now. That matter has nothing to do with Mr. Chen. How can we ask for apology?"

"That doesn't count as an apology. I see you three are heroes, and what kind of heroes are there without fine horses?"

"This is even more impossible..."

Before Ma Panlong could finish, Chen Siyuan's face suddenly turned cold: "Friends should be generous and helpful. Brother Ma, you don't consider me your friend?"

Ma Panlong was still hesitant, but Qian Feihu was delighted to see the prey and couldn't help but say, "Good horse! Second brother, since Master Chen considers us his friends, we can't refuse him."

Xu Dabiao also said, "That's right. We have received such a generous gift from Master Chen today, and we will repay him one day."

Seeing his two brothers say this, Ma Panlong could only bow solemnly and say, "Since that's the case, we'll accept it with impunity. When the escort agency opens in the future, Master Chen, please do us the honor of meeting you!"

"Haha, no problem. Even if Brother Ma doesn't invite me, I will still go."

The three men were also straightforward. They bowed to thank Chen Siyuan, took the reins, jumped on the horse, and rode away.

After another half hour, when the people from the Yin-Yang Department had breakfast, Chen Siyuan and his party returned to the capital.

Arriving at Rongguo Mansion, Chen Siyuan returned his horse and then headed east across the courtyard. After passing through the black oil gate, he found out that Master Yu Si was in the outer study and then sent a servant to report.

A moment later, the servant returned and led Chen Siyuan into the outer study. Chen Siyuan described the various tombs in detail, but Jia She was indifferent and said, "Don't worry about it. This matter...Zhen Ge'er has other ideas."

"Another suggestion?"

Jia She snorted coldly, "Brother Zhen insisted on having Qin's body kept at Tiekan Temple." Then wouldn't all his efforts have been in vain? Before Chen Siyuan could complain, Jia She said, "You've been working hard these past few days. Go back and rest. I'll take care of the Imperial College matter when I have some free time."

Chen Siyuan thanked Jia She, walked out of the black oil gate and went around the private alley. When he arrived at Ningrong Back Street, he glanced casually. Suddenly, his eyes focused - he saw a white gray mark like a copper coin that had appeared on the wall at some point.

Chen Siyuan took two quick steps to look around. Seeing that no one was paying attention, he quickly wiped it off and then returned to his yard through the back door.

After two days of absence, everything in the courtyard was as normal as usual. Xiangling helped Chen Siyuan wash his hands, and when they sat down, Hongyu served him tea and said, "Master, Miss Yan'er came by early this morning."

Chen Siyuan paused while holding Xiangming's hand and asked, "Did she say anything?"

Xiangling said, "She only spoke to me briefly, asking about Master's daily life, but she didn't say anything else."

Chen Siyuan continued, "Is Xue Pan willing to let someone visit me? Yes, has Yan'er accepted me?"

Hongyu replied, "I did hear Ying'er mention it. She said Master Xue hasn't married yet, so it's not a good idea to take a concubine now. My concubine said we should wait until the marriage is settled before discussing anything else."

The tactic of procrastination?

Liu Yan'er came from an illegitimate background and is not innocent. She is just forced by the current situation and Xue Pan dotes on her. If Xue Pan gets tired of her in two years, Aunt Xue might find a reason to get rid of her.

He couldn't care less about Liu Yan'er for now. What he should think about now was Sun Guangcheng - there had been no signs for a long time, but there were suddenly signs today. Could it be that Sun Guangcheng had arranged everything?

While he was thinking, Yunxiang, the little maidservant outside, suddenly called out, "Master, the Second Madam is here!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Siyuan did not dare to be negligent and quickly put down his teacup and stood up to greet him.

Arriving at the main courtyard, they saw Wang Xifeng leading Ping'er to the door. Chen Siyuan quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, second sister-in-law."

Sister Feng laughed and said, "I wanted to look for Brother Yuan yesterday, but I heard he was out on some errand. So now I've heard he's back, so I've come uninvited."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "I haven't thanked my second sister-in-law for the screen yet. Please come in, second sister-in-law."

The group entered, and the host and guest took their seats. After they were served fragrant tea, Sister Feng said, "Brother Yuan, I won't go around in circles. I really need some help."

Ping'er said from the side, "Master Chen, you don't know that our grandmother has received a request from Master Zhen of the East Palace, and is now in the East Palace for funeral services."

Sister Feng nodded and said, "I have to deal with funerals in the East Palace and miscellaneous matters in the West Palace, big and small. Things in the inner palace are easy to deal with, but there are bound to be some cunning servants outside. Brother Yuan has a strong temper, so I think I'd like to ask Brother Yuan, the great god, to come and scare those demons and monsters outside."

Chen Siyuan laughed when he heard this and said, "Second sister-in-law, I'm just a distant relative. I'm afraid the people below me—"

Ping'er smiled sweetly and said, "Master Chen, why do you have to belittle yourself? Everyone in the mansion knows that Master Chen has a strong character."

Sister Feng also said, "Brother Yuan, please don't refuse. I mean, you can deter the scoundrels. You don't have to keep them under control all the time. Come back every three to five days and take a look around. If there are any mistakes or omissions, just let me know."

Chen Siyuan thought for a moment and decided that if he wanted to be successful in Rongguo Mansion, he would have to be on good terms with Sister Feng. So he readily agreed, "Since Second Sister-in-law has said so, if you have any errands, just tell me."

Sister Feng was immediately overjoyed and said with a smile, "I feel relieved now that Brother Yuan is helping me."

(End of this chapter)