Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 350 Where Did the Trouble Begin in Yutang?

As soon as Xing Sanjie finished speaking, Madam Xing said coldly, "Since ancient times, it has been customary to marry down and marry up, but your second sister insists on marrying that poor scoundrel! I knew from the beginning that he was no good. Ever since our parents passed away, he has become more and more willful and reckless. He might just kill your second sister!"

Xing Sanjie frowned in annoyance and slammed her hand on the table, saying, "Where is the messenger? Bring him up and ask him!"

The old woman replied tremblingly, "Eldest Miss, Third Miss, that person sent a message and rode back on a donkey. This..."

Xing Dequan, that simpleton, got angry and shouted, "This is too much! Come on, prepare the horses, I'm going to see Second Sister right now!"

Sending that blockhead Xing Dequan to see Second Sister Xing? He'll probably cause trouble even if there's nothing wrong with him. Chen Siyuan quickly stepped forward and said, "Why don't I go with my uncle to take a look?"

As Madam Xing hesitated, Fang Lin, the husband of Xing Sanjie, walked around the screen and said, "Shuliang is too young, so I'll go instead."

The person in the room is the Censor of the Censorate, a seventh-rank official, far superior to that poor, pedantic scholar. With him in charge, Xing Erjie's husband's family will surely not dare to neglect them.

At this moment, Xing Sanjie also realized what was happening. She offered a few words of advice and gave some instructions to Fang Lin before saying to Madam Xing, "Let my husband go with Dequan."

Madam Xing nodded in agreement and said politely, "Thank you for your trouble, Third Sister's husband."

"Easy to say."

Fang Lin bowed respectfully, and was about to go with Xing Dequan to find Xing Erjie when a gatekeeper came to report that Xing Erjie's maid had arrived.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and Madam Xing hurriedly ordered someone to bring it up.

In a short while, a maid in her early twenties rushed around the screen and fell to the ground. After kowtowing, she sobbed, "Eldest Miss, Third Miss, my young lady almost died!"

Xing Sanjie's face turned ashen with anger, and she said in a resentful voice, "Tell me quickly, what exactly happened?"

The maidservant began to speak haltingly, explaining that in October, Xing Erjie's mother-in-law had brought her husband's widowed cousin from Shanxi. The woman was quite pretty and knew how to please people; within half a month, she and her husband were in bed together.

Secrets can't stay hidden forever. By the twelfth lunar month, Xing Erjie had discovered the affair and immediately made a scene. Her husband's family, fearing that the matter would be publicized, ruining their reputation and angering Madam Xing, repeatedly tried to comfort Xing Erjie, saying that it was common for men to have multiple wives and concubines, and that her cousin was already a widow, so even if she married into the family, she would only be a concubine.

Xing Erjie was soft-hearted and easily persuaded, so she believed the evil advice. For the next half month, although she treated her husband coldly, she stopped making a fuss about going back to her parents' home.

Unexpectedly, on the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, her cousin came over eagerly, offering her a bowl of chicken soup and calling her "sister" repeatedly, coaxing Xing Erjie to eat it. Seeing her cousin being so humble, Xing Erjie took the soup and was about to eat it when she smelled it and found the taste strange.

Xing Erjie immediately detained the person and found a doctor to examine it. The doctor immediately concluded that it was mixed with peach kernels and safflower, and that eating it would definitely cause pregnant women to miscarry.

Even the gentle-natured Xing Erjie couldn't bear it any longer. She immediately ordered her cousin to be tied up and beaten to death. The cousin cried and wailed, repeatedly proclaiming her innocence. When her mother-in-law heard the news, she came to side with her. When her husband returned, the mother-in-law and cousin insisted that Xing Erjie had deliberately framed her.

Enraged, Xing Erjie grabbed the door bolt, intending to kill her cousin. Her husband stepped forward and kicked her squarely in the abdomen. Xing Erjie immediately miscarried, and afterwards suffered from metrorrhagia, remaining bedridden to this day.

The maid cried as she spoke, then wiped away her tears and said, "Eldest Miss, Third Miss, please save our young lady! That family only hired a quack doctor from the mountains; they're practically sending our young lady to her death! What's worse, that shrewish old woman has secretly taken a huge portion of our young lady's dowry!"

Madam Xing trembled with rage and shouted, "Rebellion! How dare you bully us like this? Do you think the Xing family has no one to rely on? Men, go to the Rongguo Mansion and fetch twenty strong servants. Today, I will wipe out the Guo family!"

Chen Siyuan, seeing this, quickly stopped her, saying, "Aunt, why make such a fuss? Why use a sledgehammer to crack a nut? Second Aunt's home is in Wannian County now. The most urgent thing is to ask Third Uncle to bring Second Aunt back. Afterwards, Aunt, please send Second Brother Lian's door card to Wannian County. The magistrate will handle the rest."

Fang Lin praised, "That's right. Eldest sister is the general's wife, while Guo Shilin is just a scholar. To deal with such a person, we only need to use force to suppress him. There's no need for eldest sister to personally intervene."

Sister Xing thought for a moment and said, "Dequan is reckless. Eldest sister, why don't I go with him too, so that no one can control him?"

Madam Xing thought about it and agreed. After a while, Xing Sanjie's family, along with Xing Dequan, hurriedly set off for Wannian County by carriage.

The traditional homecoming celebration turned into a cold and quiet affair. Madam Xing was worried about her second sister and couldn't eat. Chen Siyuan had to coax her to eat a little.

Afterwards, they talked with her for a while until dusk, when the group finally took the dying Xing Erjie back to the Xing family's old house.

When Sister Xing saw Madam Xing, she burst into tears, grabbed Madam Xing's hand, and said, "I regret not listening to my elder sister's advice that day. I thought he was talented and good at speaking sweet words, and that he would surely be a good husband in the future. Who knew... who knew... that he would want to kill me for a slut!"

They were sisters after all. Even if there had been some estrangement in recent years, how could it possibly sever their past affection? Madam Xing wiped away her tears and said, "Just focus on recovering. Your elder sister will take care of everything. Don't worry, Guo Shilin will definitely not have a good death!"

At this moment, Ding Daojian, whom Chen Siyuan had invited, came to take her pulse. After examining her, Ding Daojian frowned and said, "Madam's metrorrhagia is extremely severe. It's fortunate that she was brought back at this time, otherwise I'm afraid there would be no cure."

Chen Siyuan stepped forward and said, "Brother Ding, please make sure to cure Second Aunt. No matter what kind of medicine you use, just put all the expenses on the books and I will settle the bill later."

Ding Daojian nodded and said, "It's alright, it's alright, but Madam's illness is very dangerous. Even if it is cured, I'm afraid it will be difficult for her to conceive again in the future."

Xing Sanjie, her face ashen, said, "I'm about to die, how can I care about anything else? Doctor, just prescribe the medicine!"

Ding Daojian immediately prescribed a medicine and administered acupuncture to temporarily stop the bleeding before Chen Siyuan escorted him out.

After seeing Ding Daojian off, Madam Xing and Third Sister Xing were at a loss. The old house only had Xing Dequan, who was quite capable of taking care of Second Sister Xing. Moreover, Second Sister Xing was depressed and needed someone to comfort her. The east wing of the Rongguo Mansion was spacious enough to accommodate someone, but Madam Xing dared not act rashly.

Xing Sanjie went out to find Fang Lin and discussed the matter. When she returned, she said, "I think Second Sister should take me to my home first. The Fang family is small, and I can keep Second Sister company every day."

Madam Xing breathed a sigh of relief and pulled on Third Sister Xing, saying, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Third Sister. You know how difficult it is for me in the Duke's mansion..." As she spoke, she called over the maid Miao'er, took out three hundred taels of silver notes and stuffed them into her hand, saying, "Third Sister's family isn't wealthy either. Yuan-ge'er will take care of the money for the medicine. This money is for Second Sister to nourish her body."

When Xing Sanjie tried to refuse, Chen Siyuan stepped forward and said, "Third Aunt, please accept it. Your aunt is not short of money these days."

Fang Lin was only a seventh-rank official, with limited means of income, and the Fang family had always lived a frugal life. Seeing the two women's repeated persuasion, Xing Sanjie readily accepted the offer.

As night fell, Xing Sanjie and Fang Lin stayed behind to look after Xing Erjie, deciding to return to the Fang family the next day. Chen Siyuan, on the other hand, accompanied Madam Xing back to the Rongguo Mansion.

The carriage rumbled along, and inside, Madam Xing frowned, scolding her second sister Xing. Chen Siyuan, however, sensed a hint of disappointment in her words.

"I'm afraid it won't be good for Second Sister to stay in the Guo family. Guo Shilin is not a good match either. How will she live in the future?"

Chen Siyuan comforted her, saying, "She's been married and has had children, so naturally, staying alive is the most important thing now. If you're worried, I'll find her a job once she's fully recovered. Besides, even if she doesn't do anything, surely we won't starve her?"
It just so happens that Xing Dequan acts rashly; having his second sister look after him is actually a good thing.

Madam Xing leaned on Chen Siyuan's shoulder and sighed, "Never mind, I'll take care of her from now on."

Upon reaching Ningrong Street, the carriage stopped, and Chen Siyuan bid farewell to Madam Xing before returning to his new residence by himself.

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

Starting from the third day of the Lunar New Year, the Jia family held New Year's banquets all over the place. The front hall and the back courtyard were filled with drinking games, and relatives and friends came and went in an endless stream.

Although Chen Siyuan has been staying in the new house at night these days, he spends most of his days at the Rongguo Mansion entertaining guests.

The ninth day arrived in the blink of an eye. It was the day Madam Wang was hosting a banquet, which was scheduled to begin at 1:00 PM. Chen Siyuan went to the east courtyard to talk to Madam Xing.

After Madam Xing dismissed the servants, she whispered to Chen Siyuan, "That scoundrel Guo Shilin is truly shameless!" Chen Siyuan quickly asked, "What happened to him?"

Madam Xing said angrily, "Third Sister sent a message early this morning, saying that Guo Shilin blocked the Fang family's door yesterday afternoon, making a fuss about taking Second Sister home."

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "Third Sister's husband, Fang Lin, is no pushover. I'm sure he didn't let Guo Shilin get his way."

Madam Xing said, "After making a fuss for half a day, Fang Lin's relatives and friends couldn't hold back any longer and beat this scoundrel out with sticks."

Chen Siyuan said, "He's just a petty person. Let him make a scene for a few days. Once we send a letter to the Wannian County government, we'll make sure Guo Shilin suffers the consequences!"

Madam Xing nodded and said, "I have prepared two invitations, one for the county magistrate and one for the education commissioner. Once the Guo family can't take it anymore and signs the divorce papers, I'll make that ungrateful scoundrel and that old hag pay!"

Chen Siyuan said, "Why bother? Second Sister's dowry is only a few taels of silver."

Madam Xing frowned and said, "It's almost two thousand taels of silver! Humph, no matter how much the Guo family has embezzled, I will make them return it all!"

After discussing this matter, Madam Xing continued, "I heard that Aunt Xue went to the Fragrant Hills Buddhist Temple these past few days to hold a seven-day Buddhist ceremony for Xue Pan. Alas, poor thing, if Fourth Brother were to leave me, I don't know how I would live."

Chen Siyuan sighed repeatedly, thinking to himself that Aunt Xue would be back soon, and he should carefully comfort her and help her to understand her feelings. If he couldn't console her, he might have to take a risk—if she lost her son, he would give her another son.

Seeing that it was getting late, Madam Xing was not in a hurry to go to Madam Wang's courtyard. Chen Siyuan, being a junior, left the east wing first and went to find Madam Wang's courtyard.

But just as they passed through the ceremonial gate, they bumped right into Sister Feng, who was leading Ping'er.

When Sister Feng caught sight of Chen Siyuan, her eyes lit up. She stepped forward and greeted him. Sister Feng then said, "Yun'er's husband has also arrived. Your second brother is keeping her company in the study."

Chen Yejun is here too? What does that have to do with me?

Sister Feng said, "Your second brother is busy with welcoming and seeing off guests, and Old Madam Chen just passed on a message saying that the young couple should talk behind the screen for a while. If you have time, Brother Yuan, I will have someone put up a screen in the hall later. Just keep an eye on things from a distance and don't let people gossip."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "It's just a small matter. I'll go to the South Hall in a bit."

Sister Feng smiled and nodded, then bid farewell to Chen Siyuan and went to attend to other matters.

Chen Siyuan went through the passageway to Madam Wang's courtyard, but as soon as he reached the vicinity of Mengpo Studio, he saw Xiren approaching. When Xiren saw Chen Siyuan, she quickly looked around, then secretly gave him a look before heading to a secluded side alley.

Chen Siyuan understood immediately and quickly chased after him.

After a short while, the two hid behind a big tree, and Xiren said, "Just now, Madam was so angry that she smashed the cups and saucers. I heard Tanxin mutter that it seemed that Aunt Fu, who went south with Master, was pregnant."

Fu Qiufang is pregnant? No wonder Madam Wang was so furious.

If Fu Qiufang were to enter the mansion, Madam Wang would naturally have all sorts of vicious methods to deal with her. However, Fu Qiufang is currently far away in Jiangnan, and Madam Wang is unable to reach her, so she can only rage helplessly.

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "Is this the matter?"

Xiren shook her head and said, "Baochan, who serves Miss Xia, came by this morning. I don't know what she said to Madam, but afterwards Madam's face was sometimes worried and sometimes happy. I don't know what happened."

Did Xia Jingui send someone to deliver a message? Chen Siyuan pondered for a long time, but for a moment he was still completely baffled.

Composing himself, Chen Siyuan looked down at Xiren, thinking to himself, "Ever since Xiren saw her mother off, she seems to have become more attentive to me. I remember in the original text, this woman was single-mindedly focused on becoming Baoyu's concubine. Now that she's changed her mind, has she completely given up on the idea?"
So she reached out and lifted her chin, asking with a smile, "What's wrong? Don't you want to be a concubine anymore?"

Xi Ren said with seductive eyes, "Of course I wanted to, but I don't know if Master Yuan would find me unpleasant."

Chen Siyuan withdrew his hand and laughed, "Then let's see... But Auntie still has to pay her respects morning and evening every day, how can she be as carefree as she is outside?"

Xiren smiled and said, "The Xia family's young lady will definitely not tolerate me. I am now like a piece of duckweed, and from now on I will listen to Master Yuan."

Xiren had thought things through clearly. Having already pledged herself to Baoyu, it was no longer appropriate for her to change masters. Chen Siyuan clearly intended to use her as a messenger, and although he only granted her the status of an outer concubine, it was far more effective than Baoyu's empty promises.

Chen Siyuan thought to himself, Xiren is so sensible and knows when to advance and retreat. Keeping her outside wouldn't cost much money. If she is indeed obedient, what's wrong with taking her as a concubine?

After the two talked for a while, Xiren hurried to Qixianzhai to find Baoyu, while Chen Siyuan moved to Madam Wang's courtyard to help with some household affairs.

After a while, Ping'er came looking for them, saying that Chen Yejun had gone to the South Hall and that the Second Miss had gone to the back to invite Xiangyun.

Chen Siyuan then headed towards the South Hall. Chen Siyuan had only met Chen Yejun a few times and could not be considered an acquaintance.

Upon entering the south-facing hall, Chen Siyuan indeed saw a handsome young man sitting upright in a chair. He was quite good-looking, but his expression was cold. After exchanging greetings, Chen Siyuan engaged him in brief conversation, but finding him rather arrogant, he stopped talking, not wanting to embarrass himself.

Soon, the north gate opened, and amidst the tinkling of jade pendants, Yingchun and Xiangyun arrived hand in hand.

The screen was made of double-sided embroidered cloud-patterned gauze, and even through the screen, one could vaguely see what was happening on the other side. Chen Siyuan tactfully got up and walked to the end of the screen, where he happened to meet the second young lady, Yingchun.

The two exchanged a few words and smiled at each other. Yingchun gave Siqi a wink, and Siqi instructed the old women to guard the north and south gates, while she followed Chen Siyuan into the warm pavilion inside.

The warm pavilion in the south-facing hall has display cabinets and curtains, and contains a heated kang (a traditional heated platform bed) and incense burner, making it much warmer than the main hall.

The two sat facing each other. Yingchun poured tea for them from the teapot, and Chen Siyuan took the opportunity to examine them briefly. Their eyes met again, and the second young lady blushed. She said, "It's only been a few days. Why are you staring at me, Brother Yuan?"

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "It's been a few days since I last saw you. Second sister has lost weight. I imagine you must be suffering a lot due to the many things that have happened this year."

Yingchun covered her mouth and laughed, "It's not much of a matter. It's just a matter of taking charge and letting everyone be in their proper place. If I'm unsure about something, I'll ask Madam for advice. It won't be tiring for me. It's just that I prefer light food, and the dishes these days have been too oily, so I'm not used to it."

Chen Siyuan's smile faded as he said, "You don't need to be so frugal. If you want something light, just send someone to buy some local vegetables and find a small kitchen to cook it yourself. Why make yourself suffer?"

Yingchun said shyly, "It's because I've gained a little weight lately, so I thought I'd cleanse my palate."

Yingchun's figure is just right, why would she need to lose weight? Chen Siyuan never hid his feelings; once he had set his mind on Yingchun, he wouldn't be ambiguous. He moved his chair closer, and Yingchun was still taken aback. He reached out and took her soft hand in his palm, saying gently, "I prefer Second Sister's previous figure; why would she need to live on air and dew?"

"Brother Yuan—" Yingchun blushed deeply and tried to pull her hand away, but Chen Siyuan held it tightly. Seeing that she couldn't pull away, Yingchun turned her head away, blushing as she let him play with her.

Chen Siyuan promised, "My aunt and uncle had previously been interested in bringing us together, and now that things are like this, I don't think we need to wait too long. After the first month of the lunar calendar, I will talk to them about this matter."

Yingchun was overjoyed. She had risked her reputation and fought hard, and this was exactly what she wanted. Now that Chen Siyuan had personally promised, she was overjoyed and breathed a long sigh of relief.

Yingchun turned around shyly, about to say something, when suddenly she heard cups and saucers being knocked over outside, and then Xiangyun ran out crying.

As the two faced each other in bewilderment, Siqi lifted the curtain and entered, frowning as she said, "Miss, Master Yuan, Miss Yun ran away crying!"

(End of this chapter)