Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 351 A Plan to Capture the Jade Rabbit in the Moon

As Siqi finished speaking, Chen Siyuan and Yingchun exchanged a glance, then rose and went into the hall together. Yingchun went out the north gate to catch up with Xiangyun, while Chen Siyuan went around the screen and saw Chen Yejun with a cold face and furrowed brows, drinking his tea in one gulp, rising and bowing, saying, "I have other important matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer. Please ask Brother Chen to pass on my message. Farewell!"

"No need to see me out." Chen Siyuan was no pushover. If the other party didn't give him face, why would he give them any? He straightened his face, gave a slight bow, and then turned and left.

The Chen family behind Chen Yejun is not the Duke of Qi. When Emperor Taizong established the empire, he enfeoffed the Chen family's ancestor as the Earl of Xiangcheng. However, Chen Yejun's father was convicted and killed in the struggle for the throne. After the current emperor ascended the throne, he stripped the Chen family of their title. Only through the intervention of the former emperor was the Chen family allowed to continue living in the Earl of Xiangcheng's mansion.

To put it bluntly, Chen Yejun's family was nothing but an empty shell; they had neither power nor money. It's a mystery where this man got the audacity to dare to treat Shi Xiangyun with such disrespect. If Shi Xiangyun's parents hadn't died early, the title of Marquis of Baoling would have fallen to her father; after all, Shi Xiangyun was the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Baoling's family.

Even though the title now belongs to Shi Xiangyun's second uncle, his two uncles were both granted marquis titles. Among them, the Marquis of Baoling went south to serve as an official, and the Marquis of Zhongjing was a former official of the current emperor when he was still a prince. Chen Siyuan stopped at the north gate and looked back, watching Chen Yejun stride away. He couldn't figure out what Chen Yejun was up to.

Chen Siyuan had never wanted to associate with the old nobles and playboys, and this incident provided him with a perfect excuse. He immediately found an old woman to tell Madam Wang, and then hurried towards the Grand View Garden at the back.

After passing the withered green mountains, they could see Yingchun leading Xiuju towards Xiaocui Hall in the distance. As they drew closer, they met at Qinfang Pavilion.

Their eyes met, and the second young lady, Yingchun, curtsied and said, "Yun'er has returned to Hengwu Garden, and Bao'er was just about to go out. She's trying to persuade her to leave. I have some official business to attend to, so I'll go ahead first."

Chen Siyuan nodded and said, "The man surnamed Chen is gone. I wonder what he was thinking."

Yingchun blinked, saying nothing, but the meaning was clear. Why call Chen Yejun "Chen" when Chen Siyuan himself also has the surname Chen?

Chen Siyuan thought to himself, "Who said my second sister was a blockhead? Just by looking at her expression, I can tell she's really happy inside."

He then said, "Daily banquets are really boring, so I'll go back to my studies now."

"Alright."

The two nodded to each other and then passed each other. Just as they passed, the second young lady's soft hand gently brushed against Chen Siyuan's palm, and then lightly hooked it with her fingertip.

Xiuju, who had been following Yingchun, clearly saw this little action and was immediately startled.

Chen Si walked two steps away, then stopped and turned back to look, only to see Yingchun leading Xiuju with light, graceful steps, without ever turning back to look at her.

Chen Siyuan glanced at the door, smiled slightly, and then quickly headed towards the back door.

As Yingchun turned past the verdant peaks, Xiuju, seeing that no one was around, caught up and said, "Miss, just now—"

Xiuju turned her head to look and saw that her daughter's face was flushed.

The second daughter, Yingchun, glanced at him sideways, slowed her pace slightly, and bit her lip lightly, saying, "Mutual respect is certainly good, but I want more." She paused, then hesitated, "Am I being too greedy?"

Xiuju paused for a moment, then quickly said, "Miss, your looks and intelligence are no less than anyone else's. How could you be greedy? If it weren't for... this burden, perhaps you would have already been destined to be with Master Yuan. Although it's a bit late now, as the old saying goes, 'Good things come to those who wait.' Perhaps in the future, you and Master Yuan will be able to live in harmony."

Yingchun smiled, her face instantly glowing like a peach blossom. She let out a soft sigh, her face full of hope, and said, "I hope so."

As they were talking, they arrived at the gate of the Grand View Garden and bumped into Yuanyang, who was walking briskly towards them.

After everyone had exchanged greetings, Yuanyang said, "The old lady just received the news and sent me to invite Miss Yun to Rongqing Hall."

Yingchun said, "Yun'er has returned to Hengwu Garden, you should go there quickly."

Yuanyang gave a slight curtsy, hurriedly bid farewell to Yingchun, and went to the back. Yingchun left the Grand View Garden and soon arrived at Lady Wang's courtyard. Tanchun and Xichun, having received the news, were on their way to find Xiangyun. Upon encountering Yingchun, they naturally questioned her thoroughly.

Unfortunately, Yingchun didn't know the reason either. She also said that Xiangyun had probably gone to Rongqing Hall. Tanchun thought that Xiangyun was always carefree and would not act like this unless she was really heartbroken. So she stopped Xichun and said that she would go to find Xiangyun after the banquet.

After the banquet ended, Daiyu received the news and went with her sisters to find Xiangyun. When they arrived at Rongqing Hall, they found Xiangyun already asleep in her green gauze-curtained bedchamber.

Seeing the tear stains still on Xiangyun's face, everyone felt a pang of heartache. Not wanting to upset Xiangyun, they left together, blaming Chen Yejun for upsetting her with his irrational behavior.

In the evening, Yingchun received instructions from Grandmother Jia to explain the situation to everyone, saying that the reasons were not convenient to explain and that the matter should not be mentioned again to upset Xiangyun.

The next day arrived in the blink of an eye, and it was Li Wan's turn to host the New Year's feast. Li Wan didn't have many relatives or friends in the capital, so she only invited her widowed aunt and two cousins ​​to the Grand View Garden.

Chen Siyuan had been invited, and since it was still early, he thought he would go and have a chat with Lin Daiyu. But as soon as he entered the Grand View Garden, his maid Ying'er came looking for him.

Na Ying'er said, "Master Yuan, our young lady is waiting for you at Yuyin Hall."

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "That's good, otherwise I wouldn't know how to find my treasure sister."

Now that Xiangyun lives in Hengwu Garden, it is naturally inconvenient for Chen Siyuan to visit her. Most of the time, when the two want to meet, it is usually through Baochai visiting Qingtang Thatched Cottage, or through the maid Ying'er conveying their feelings, arranging a place to pretend to meet by chance.

At that moment, Chen Siyuan followed Ying'er around the main mountain, passed Hengwu Garden, and came down from the stone cave to Yuyin Hall.

Pushing open the door, one sees a graceful figure standing with her back to him, seemingly gazing at the painting hanging in the hall. Hearing the noise, the figure suddenly turns around, her beauty undeniable despite the lack of makeup, and a smile slowly blooms on her serene face.

Chen Siyuan greeted her with a smile and saw that Baochai was wearing a bright red peony cloak, a round-necked apron with peony branches embroidered on an apricot-yellow satin fabric, a white cross-collar jacket underneath, and a long peach-red skirt embroidered with peonies. Because she was still in mourning for Xue Pan, her hair was only adorned with a simple silver hairpin and a simple palace flower in her hair.

"Sister Bao." Chen Siyuan stepped forward and took Baochai's hand, unable to hide his affection.

Baochai smiled and said, "Knowing you would arrive early, I sent Ying'er to stop you, thinking I could talk to you a little longer."

Chen Siyuan pulled Baochai forward, took a seat first, and then pulled Baochai to sit in his lap. Baochai blushed slightly and said, "There are people coming and going, let's not let anyone see us."

Ying'er, who followed behind, closed the door while smiling and said, "Don't worry, Miss, I'll guard the door and make sure no one sees us."

After saying that, he closed the door and indeed stood guard at the entrance as a door god.

Only the two of them remained inside, their eyes meeting, filled with affection. Since the beginning of the first month of the lunar year, Chen Siyuan had moved to his new house, and although the two saw each other often, they had spent much less time alone together. This private meeting was a chance for them to pour out their hearts to each other.

In the heat of the moment, Chen Siyuan inevitably became unruly. At first, Baochai was accommodating, but as Chen Siyuan went further and further, she finally broke free, fastened the buttons on her coat, and scolded, "Why are you being so improper again?"

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "It was out of necessity."

Baochai sat down next to Chen Siyuan, frowning as she said, "Don't do anything strange again, or how will I face anyone later?"

Chen Siyuan gave a vague reply and then tugged at Baochai's soft hand to play with it. Baochai then said, "Mother sent a letter early this morning, saying that she dreamed of my brother's tragic death again and plans to stay at the temple for a while longer."

Losing a son in middle age, who can know the pain in one's heart? Chen Siyuan then said, "Then when the concubine returns, I will find an opportunity to properly persuade her."

Baochai, unaware of the long-standing relationship between Chen Siyuan and Aunt Xue, assumed that Chen Siyuan was acting this way because of her, and was even certain that Chen Siyuan's persuasion would be ineffective. So she nodded and said, "Now that my brother is gone, my mother and I don't have many relatives or friends in the capital. My mother is sad and heartbroken every day, and she has also fallen out with Aunt Xue, so she has no one to talk to. I was thinking that when spring comes, we should return to Jinling together."

Chen Siyuan frowned and said, "Your family has already sold off their properties in Jinling. The other branches of the Xue family all harbor treacherous intentions. Returning to Jinling might not be a good thing."

Baochai bit her lower lip, unable to make a decision, before finally saying, "At least we still have some relatives and friends in Jinling. Perhaps if Mother asks someone to speak on our behalf, things will get better in a while?" They were separated by a great distance; if something happened to Aunt Xue and Baochai in Jinling, Chen Siyuan would truly be powerless to help. He immediately said, "This matter is not urgent; let's wait until Aunt Xue returns before discussing it further."

Baochai thought about it and agreed.

Chen Siyuan then said, "Today's official gazette reported that Anlan Garden will be open during the Lantern Festival, with a five-day lantern festival. You've been cooped up for a while now, why don't we go for a stroll through the lantern festival?"

Baochai was naturally tempted, but then she shook her head and said, "I'll pass. My brother has only been gone a short time, and I shouldn't show my face in public. If you want to go, you might as well ask Lin Yatou for help."

Chen Siyuan knew that Baochai was always decisive, and if she said she wouldn't go, she definitely wouldn't go. He then thought to himself, "It won't be easy for Sister Lin to leave the manor. Let's leave it at that and talk about it later."

At this moment, Sister Bao sighed and rested her head on Chen Siyuan's shoulder, and said, "Your poem about Mulan is truly insightful: 'The old heart changes so easily, yet people say that the old heart is fickle.' It really hits the nail on the head."

Chen Siyuan asked in surprise, "Why are you talking about this?" He thought to himself that he was indeed a bit of a jerk, but he had always treated each of his younger sisters the same. He had never neglected Baochai because of Daiyu, nor had he ever ignored his cousin because of Baochai.

Baochai shook her head and said, "It's just something I felt... Do you know why Yun'er cried so much yesterday?"

Chen Siyuan said, "Yes, I left early yesterday and didn't know why. But what hurtful things did Chen Yejun say?"

“That’s exactly right!” Baochai frowned and said angrily, “I heard that Yun’er and Chen Yejun were brought together by the Marquis of Baoling, but now they seem to have become an unhappy couple.”

Chen Siyuan pressed for the reason, and Sister Bao recounted it in detail. It turned out that Chen Yejun had been seriously injured and fell into the water three years ago, but was fortunately rescued by a woman from a music family, thus narrowly escaping death.

He was bedridden for over a month and was also pursued by assassins. To save his life, he went into hiding and lived with a female entertainer. Once his injuries had healed, the Chen family finally found him. Chen Yejun immediately took the woman back to the Marquis of Xiangcheng's mansion and has kept her by his side ever since.

Normally, one would repay a favor when they receive it. But Chen Yejun was a romantic at heart, and he fell deeply in love with the courtesan during their time together.

As mentioned earlier, the Marquis of Xiangcheng's family had already been stripped of its title due to the failure of the succession struggle, leaving the Chen family as nothing more than an empty shell. In order to find an opportunity to restore the title, Chen's mother arranged a marriage alliance with the Marquis of Baoling's family, which led to Xiangyun's marriage being arranged early on.

This marriage was arranged by his parents and a matchmaker. Chen Yejun made a scene several times, until his mother threatened to commit suicide, forcing him to reluctantly agree.

Although he verbally agreed, Chen Yejun harbored extreme disgust in his heart. So yesterday, behind the screen, Chen Yejun said a lot of random things. He kept mentioning Wan Niang, saying that after the marriage, he would give Xiangyun, the mistress of the house, a respectable position, and that there was no need to think about anything else. After the marriage, he would only move to the side courtyard to live with the courtesan.

Xiangyun was, after all, a proper daughter of a marquis's family. How could she have ever suffered such cold treatment and humiliation? Upon hearing this, she started arguing with Chen Yejun, and in her anger, she simply burst into tears and left.

Baochai sneered, "Xiangyun was still making a fuss about breaking off the engagement last night. This morning, she sent someone to the Marquis of Baoling's residence to deliver a message. Let's wait and see what the two marquises of the Shi family have to say."

Chen Siyuan said, "Is this a case of favoring a concubine over one's wife?"

Baochai said coldly, "That's about right. Chen Yejun is also a fool. He wants to use the Shi family to help him regain his title and covets Yun'er's dowry, yet he speaks coldly to Yun'er. I really don't know what he's thinking." She paused, then added, "Originally, I thought that Chen Yejun was, after all, a noble son with excellent character and appearance, so it wouldn't be a bad thing for Yun'er. But now it seems that family background and appearance are enough; what's important is that he's clear-headed."

Chen Siyuan knew that Baochai was referring to him, so he hugged the beauty in his arms tighter. Having lived two lives, he knew the true nature of love. No matter how deep the affection, with time, the white moonlight would turn into rice grains stuck to it, and the cinnabar mole would become mosquito blood.

As the saying goes, "It begins with appearance and ends with character." For a relationship to last, the key lies in the character of both people.

Chen Siyuan then said, "I will acquire more property for my sister later. In this way, even if I change my mind in the future or something unexpected happens, I can ensure that my sister will be worry-free for the rest of her life."

Baochai scolded, "I was just speaking from the heart, and I never doubted you. Why did you bring this up?"

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "Old friends can change so easily... No one can say for sure what the future holds. While I'm still thinking about my sister, I might as well give her some security."

Baochai's heart melted instantly, and she couldn't help but cling tightly to Chen Siyuan.

This good man was chosen by Baochai herself, and their affection goes without saying. Baochai is also precocious, knowing that people's hearts are fickle, and even the most solemn vows may change over time. Chen Siyuan's pragmatic approach was exactly what Baochai wanted.

Moved by her feelings, Baochai boldly raised her head and offered her lips. The two were very intimate until Ying'er came from outside to urge them to separate.

Baochai blushed as she got up, carefully tidying her hair and clothes before letting Ying'er in.

Ying'er glanced inside and immediately covered her mouth and laughed. Baochai glared at her with her almond-shaped eyes, and Ying'er stuck out her tongue inwardly before saying, "A servant just came and said that Marquis Zhongjing sent someone to take Miss Yun back."

Baochai frowned and said, "It seems that the Marquis has received the news and wants to make a decision for Yun'er. I must go back and help Yun'er get ready."

Chen Siyuan said, "Alright, it's getting late, I'll head to Daoxiang Village first."

The two parted ways, and Chen Si left Yuyin Hall, bypassed the rose trellis, and soon arrived at Daoxiang Village.

At this moment, the maids gathered in front of the door, and someone had made a sandbag, which they were now playing with happily. When they saw Chen Siyuan arrive, Suyun came to greet him and invited him inside to talk.

Just then, an old woman came looking for Chen Siyuan and said, "Master Yuan, the master requests your presence."

Chen Siyuan, unaware of the reason, said to the old woman, "You go back first, I'll go inside and say hello and then I'll go."

The old woman acknowledged her farewell and left. Chen Siyuan went inside and spoke a few words to Li Wan. However, because Tan Chun and Xi Chun were also present, he didn't say much, only glancing at her. Li Wan was timid and afraid of being discovered, so she avoided eye contact and acted flusteredly.

Chen Siyuan chuckled inwardly, then bid farewell to Li Wan and headed towards the east courtyard.

Before long, Chen Siyuan entered the black oil gate and glanced around to see Miao'er already waiting behind the gate.

"Young Master!" Miao pulled Chen Siyuan aside and whispered, "Madam sent me here. She said that the Master brought up that business again this morning, and he needs to be careful."

Chen Siyuan's spirits immediately lifted. He had laid the bait before the New Year, and through a series of coincidences, Jia She had finally come to inquire about him. Just a couple of days ago, he was thinking that if Jia She didn't come soon, he might have to deliver himself to Jia She's doorstep.

Chen Siyuan smiled and said to Miao'er, "Just go and tell your aunt that it's fine."

Miao'er agreed, turned around, and quickly walked towards the third-floor ceremonial gate.

Chen Siyuan strode to Jia She's outer study. The servant at the door announced his arrival before leading Chen Siyuan inside.

At this moment, Master Jia She sat upright at his desk. After Chen Siyuan stepped forward to greet him, he forced a smile and said, "Brother Yuan, you've arrived? Why have you moved out these past few days? Don't stand on ceremony, sit down and tell me."

Chen Siyuan lifted his robe and sat down, smiling as he said, "I heard that the imperial court intends to hold a special imperial examination next year. I was thinking that time was running out and I didn't want to delay, so I moved out to concentrate on my studies."

Jia She stroked his beard and smiled, "The mansion was indeed a bit chaotic during the New Year holidays, but it would be better if you moved back after the New Year."

"My nephew thinks so too."

Jia She nodded, unable to contain himself, and said, "Yuan-ge'er, I have always believed that I have treated you well...aren't there some things you should give me an explanation for?"

(End of this chapter)