Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 359 Inheriting the Tradition and Continuing the Legacy (Part 1)
Chen Siyuan felt extremely disgusted. He should just take Jia She's words with a grain of salt. If the Prince of Zhongshun really came knocking on his door one day, he would definitely turn around and sell him out.

With this thought in mind, Chen Siyuan seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, but still frowned and said, "Since Uncle has said so, I have nothing more to say... I will present the medicine prescription after Second Sister gives birth."

"Excellent!" Jia She exclaimed triumphantly, slapping the table in praise.

But then Chen Siyuan said, "However, my nephew is outnumbered and weak, and I'm afraid he can't withstand the pressure from Prince Zhongshun... This..."

Jia She's joy faded. In this world, only a unique business can make the most money. If he gets the formula himself, he will make a fortune. But if Prince Zhongshun gets it, wouldn't that be...? Jia She thought for a moment. Chen Siyuan had said before that he would eventually have to partner with Prince Yanping on this formula.

So, what's the difference between a profit-sharing arrangement between two parties and one between three parties?
Therefore, he immediately said, "That's enough. You've had it tough too. Prince Zhongshun is quite arrogant because he relies on the Emperor's indulgence. Since this prescription will be given to Prince Yanping sooner or later, I suppose you won't be able to keep it. Rather than that, you might as well sell it for a good price."

"Thank you for your understanding, Uncle."

Jia She waved his hand, then smiled and lowered his voice, saying, "But if you pass this prescription on to me, wouldn't it be...?"

Chen Siyuan, understanding the implied meaning, quickly frowned and said, "Uncle, what are you saying? Since we are family, it's just a prescription. Uncle, please feel free to take it if you want."

Jia She raised an eyebrow and burst out laughing. He said to Jia Lian, who was drinking in silence, "Look at Yuan-ge'er, and then look at you! You good-for-nothing beast, if you go out and mess around again, you'll regret it!"

Jia Lian looked up in surprise, then quickly agreed, wondering what this had to do with him.

Jia She then smiled and said to Chen Siyuan, "Don't worry, Yuan-ge'er, after Yingchun gives birth, I will arrange your marriage!"

Chen Siyuan's face lit up with joy. He quickly poured himself a cup and rose to toast Jia She. After sitting down again, he felt somewhat relieved, thinking that he had finally fulfilled his promise to his second sister.

At that moment, Chen Siyuan and Jia She frequently invited each other to drink, exchanging toasts and clinking glasses. By the time the lanterns were lit, not only the table on this side of the screen, but also the two tables opposite were already quite drunk.

In high spirits due to the joyous occasion, Jia She drank a few extra cups and, feeling slightly tipsy, went to the outer room to relieve himself. Jia Lian, being his son, naturally got up to help him.

Chen Siyuan, his face flushed with wine, was about to close his eyes for a short rest when he overheard a conversation between a young woman and Grandmother Jia on the other side of the screen. Grandmother Jia suddenly laughed and said, "These books are all the same, nothing more than stories of beautiful women and talented men, utterly boring. They portray other people's daughters as so wicked, yet still call them 'beautiful women,' making up stories so baseless that there's no truth to them. They all talk about being from scholarly families, their fathers being either ministers or prime ministers. They say that if they have a daughter, they will cherish her like a precious jewel. This daughter must be well-educated and knowledgeable, a peerless beauty. But the moment she sees a handsome man, whether a relative or a friend, she thinks about her marriage, forgetting her parents, forgetting all manners, becoming neither a ghost nor a thief—how is she a beauty at all?"

She rambled on and on, but it all started because the female immortal had told the beginning of the story "The Phoenix Seeks Its Mate," which made Grandmother Jia grumble and complain inwardly.

Chen Siyuan opened his eyes and looked across the screen. He could vaguely see Daiyu and Baochai with their heads bowed, clearly feeling very depressed.

Grandmother Jia's rambling might seem like a heartfelt remark, a reminder to the ladies of the household not to act recklessly. But those who know the truth understand that Grandmother Jia was merely using this as an excuse to fabricate a reprimand against Baochai and Daiyu.
But what is the reason for this?
After a moment's thought, Chen Siyuan realized that the old lady was feeling resentful!
Daiyu was chosen as Jia Mu's granddaughter-in-law, and Baochai was chosen by Lady Wang. Both of them abandoned Baoyu one after the other, instead arranging marriages with Chen Siyuan. I thought I could find Baoyu a suitable marriage someday, but who knew I'd end up with Xia Jingui, a woman without children, who was already pregnant!

How old is Baoyu? Now that Xia Jingui has returned to the Xia family, this child is bound to be born. If word gets out, what good family's daughter will want to marry Baoyu in the future?
On the Lantern Festival, Grandmother Jia drank a few extra cups of wine. When she looked at Baochai and Daiyu, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy, which is why she deliberately belittled them later.

At this point, Sister Feng smoothed things over, saying, "Alright, alright! The wine's cold. Let's have a sip to moisten our throats before we start telling lies. This time, let's call it 'The Story of Telling Lies,' and it'll be about this dynasty, this place, this year, this month, this day, and this hour. It's hard for you to say two different things, so let's split the story in two. Whether it's true or a lie, let's not discuss it now, and let's deal with the people watching the lanterns and the play. Let these two relatives have a drink and watch a couple of plays before we start telling lies from yesterday's words, shall we?"

As soon as he finished speaking, two more ladies chimed in, which immediately made everyone burst into laughter.

Baochai was precocious and knew that Grandmother Jia was only saying these words to vent her inner turmoil. She secretly sneered and paid no attention to her words.

Daiyu was different. Firstly, she was still young, and secondly, her only relative in the household was Grandmother Jia. If some insignificant person had said such things, Daiyu would have retorted and wouldn't have taken it to heart. But these words came from Grandmother Jia, who had gone to the lantern festival with Chen Siyuan yesterday and was now visiting Qingtang Thatched Cottage.

Such behavior perfectly matched Grandmother Jia's disparaging words, and her eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Seeing that something was wrong, Baochai took her hand under the table and shook her head slightly. Daiyu was touched, but when she looked up at Grandmother Jia, she felt both heartache and utter confusion.

Her marriage to Chen Siyuan had been arranged long ago, so she really couldn't understand why Grandmother Jia was making sarcastic remarks today.

After sitting for a while, and after the banquet was over and she had eaten some glutinous rice balls, Daiyu got up to take her leave, saying that she was not feeling well.

Baoyu, sitting opposite her, wondered, "Sister seemed fine just now, so why is she acting so unwell now? We agreed to go set off fireworks together this afternoon, and the manor has prepared quite a few fireworks as tribute."

Daiyu forced a smile and said, "I don't like fireworks either, so you can play around."

After saying this, he curtsied, and Xueyan and Zijuan came to wrap his coat around him, and they went outside together.

Chen Siyuan sat for a short while, then excused himself, saying he couldn't hold his liquor, and bid farewell to Jia She and Jia Lian.

After passing behind the screen, Hongyu was waiting in the side hall. Upon seeing Chen Siyuan, she quickly wrapped a silver fox fur cloak around him and said, "Master, it's snowing again outside. Be careful not to catch a cold after drinking."

Chen Siyuan, with his silk sash tied around his neck, asked, "Have you seen Lin Daiyu?"

Hongyu whispered, "Look, they're heading towards the back."

Chen Siyuan nodded, stepped out of the side hall, bypassed Rongqing Hall, and chased after him through the passageway.

It was the Lantern Festival, and the night sky was occasionally filled with the sounds of fireworks and firecrackers. Fine snowflakes drifted down from the sky, and a thin layer of snow covered the ground. Chen Siyuan walked quickly, passed the large pink screen wall, and caught up with Daiyu and her two servants as soon as he passed the side gate.

"Sister Lin."

As Chen Siyuan spoke, the figure in front paused, then turned back to observe.

Chen Siyuan stepped forward and felt a pang of pity when he saw Daiyu's reddened eyes. He reached out to tighten Daiyu's coat, but Daiyu was startled and took a half step back. So Chen Siyuan's hands froze slightly before he slowly lowered them.

He frowned and said, "The old lady is getting on in years, and she still has some childlike qualities. It's normal for her to feel resentful and say some complaints after drinking."

Daiyu sniffed and said, "I understand, thank you."

This is not the place to talk, so Chen Siyuan extended his hand and said, "Then I'll take my sister home first, and we can talk about it tomorrow."

Daiyu said, "Perhaps she'll forget after a good night's sleep."

As they spoke, the two walked side by side and entered the Grand View Garden through a side gate. But just as they turned the corner of the verdant mountain, a firecracker went off right in front of them.

Chen Siyuan was immediately enraged and said, "Who did this!"

There was a rustling sound, and a slouching figure emerged from behind the artificial hill, mumbling, "No, I didn't see anyone, please forgive me, Master Yuan."

Hongyu lit a lantern and saw that it was Jia Huan. Chen Siyuan frowned and scolded, "It's freezing cold, Brother Huan, you'd better go back to your room as soon as possible."

Jia Huan readily agreed, and with a quick glance, he caught a glimpse of Daiyu's true face. The following year, Jia Huan had grown another year older, and a few days ago he had learned about the relationship between men and women from the maid in his room. Now, upon seeing Daiyu's face, his body went limp, and for a moment he was stunned and speechless.

Seeing his sinister gaze, Daiyu immediately frowned and looked away.

Chen Siyuan was annoyed. He quietly moved in front of Daiyu and scolded, "Brother Huan, what are you doing?"

"Huh? Oh..." Jia Huan came to his senses, stammered and couldn't say anything, just cupped his hands and hurriedly left the Grand View Garden with his head down.

Chen Siyuan turned his head and watched them leave before turning back to Daiyu and saying, "Sister, please be careful in your daily life and bring more people with you to avoid any trouble."

Daiyu quickly nodded and said, "I thought it was inappropriate to be too ostentatious before, but I understand now." Chen Siyuan escorted Daiyu back to Xiaoxiang Pavilion. On the way back, Hongyu said, "Master, it seems that Third Master Huan is aware of human affairs. We must be careful in the future."

Chen Siyuan frowned and said, "Huan-ge'er himself doesn't have the guts, but I'm afraid that someone with ulterior motives will instigate him afterward. Never mind, Lin-meimei has always known what's important. From now on, bring more martial maids with you, so that even if there are really those who are incompetent, they won't be able to get close to you."

Hongyu nodded in agreement, but Chen Siyuan frowned deeply. Jia Huan was not a concern; Chen Siyuan was afraid that Lady Wang would deliberately cause trouble and let that rascal Baoyu gain an advantage for nothing.

The master and servant returned to the thatched cottage. Wu'er and Xiangling clamored to go see the fireworks. Chen Siyuan, having drunk too much, was a little tired, so he had his maids and servants take care of him and went to rest early.

The next day was the sixteenth. Early in the morning, Chen Siyuan led Xiangling, Hongyu and others back to the new house. Later that night, he took the women to stroll around Anlan Garden. I won't go into details.

Before long, it was the eighteenth day of the first lunar month. Early that morning, an old woman came to deliver an invitation, saying that a carriage was waiting outside and inviting Chen Siyuan to the poetry gathering.

Upon seeing that the invitation was from the Chief Secretary, Chen Siyuan knew perfectly well that it was an invitation from Prince Zhongshun. He quickly tidied himself up and left the Rongguo Mansion alone, taking a carriage to the appointment.

The meeting place was chosen to be a teahouse two streets away. Chen Siyuan went upstairs, walked around the screen and entered the private room, where he saw the heavily pregnant Prince Zhongshun already waiting.

Chen Siyuan stepped forward to greet him, and Prince Zhongshun smiled and invited him to sit down. After exchanging pleasantries and having a cup of tea, he asked, "How has Shuliang decided?"

Chen Siyuan feigned reluctance: "My prescription has unexpectedly caught the prince's eye, and since the prince has given his approval, I naturally dare not keep it to myself. However..."

King Chungshun's smile widened further, and he said, "I know I have some doubts in my conscience, but rest assured, I will not treat you poorly. Come here!"

As they were talking, a eunuch stepped forward and presented a brocade box. When opened, it contained a stack of silver notes.

"These funds should be used to compensate Shuliang for his losses."

Chen Siyuan cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, please allow me to finish speaking. This houttuynia cordata extract was already known to Prince Yanping. Before Your Highness came to me, I made an agreement with Prince Yanping. Moreover, a few days ago, my uncle coveted it and forced me to present the prescription. Therefore, even if I keep my mouth shut from now on, I'm afraid this business will not become a unique one."

King Zhongshun replied, “What’s the harm? Our dynasty has a vast territory and millions of people. I am not greedy. I would be content to share in the spoils.”

As he spoke, he pushed the brocade box in front of Chen Siyuan and said with a smile, "Shuliang, please take a look and see if you are satisfied."

Chen Siyuan glanced inside and immediately scoffed. The silver notes looked generous, but they were all in hundred-tael denominations. A rough estimate... maybe three thousand taels?
Upon reaching out and pinching the coin, Chen Siyuan was immediately dumbfounded. This was hardly three thousand taels! There were even fifty-tael notes at the end, so it only amounted to two thousand taels.

Chen Siyuan remained calm and accepted the brocade box. He then took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it over before bowing to Prince Zhongshun and saying, "Your Highness is fair. I wish Your Highness great wealth in the future. I have other important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

"Hehe, easy, easy. Come on, send Chen Xiaolian back!" Prince Zhongshun picked up the note and examined it. After looking at it for a while, he immediately became angry and said, "Is that all? It's so simple, yet it costs two thousand taels of silver. Chen Siyuan is really getting off easy!"

Meanwhile, Chen Si left the teahouse, politely declined the carriage and horses offered by Prince Zhongshun, and hired a mule cart himself, hurrying towards Da Gezi Alley.

When they arrived at the place, they found the door locked and realized they had arrived a step too early.

They went inside and swept and cleaned the place, then lit the brazier. It took a while for the room to warm up a bit.

He went to the small courtyard in the northeast yesterday. After Aunt Xue dismissed the maid, she insisted on inviting him to come to Da Gezi Alley today.

Xue Pan's departure was clearly a huge blow to Aunt Xue; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say she was utterly devastated. If Chen Siyuan hadn't forced her yesterday, and Aunt Xue hadn't been so afraid of her shameful affair being exposed, she probably wouldn't have made this appointment today.

A moment later, the outer door rattled, and a graceful figure wrapped in a cloak floated in.

Chen Siyuan stepped forward and touched Aunt Xue lightly, and found that she had indeed become even thinner. She used to be plump, but now she was rather thin and bony, even more frail than Li Wan.

Chen Siyuan pulled her to sit on the bed, and Aunt Xue's eyes immediately reddened as she said, "I dreamed of Pan'er again yesterday, he blamed me...blamed me..."

Chen Siyuan held the beautiful woman in his arms tightly and comforted her, saying, "What you think about during the day, you dream about at night. Besides, you have never wronged Wenlong, so why are you still stuck in the past?"

Aunt Xue cried, "It must be because I committed a terrible crime and angered the gods and Buddhas that Pan'er suffered such a misfortune."

Chen Siyuan immediately felt a headache coming on, thinking to himself that this was just human nature; once someone fell into a state of regret, no matter how eloquently they were comforted, they probably wouldn't listen.

If that's the case, then there's no need to say more.

He immediately took off Aunt Xue's coat and leaned down to kiss her. Aunt Xue initially resisted repeatedly, but after a while, she woodenly began to reciprocate.

Before long, the two were rolling around on the bed, and Chen Siyuan used all eighteen kinds of martial arts skills.

Aunt Xue had been deprived of sex for a long time, and now she could hardly bear it. In an instant, her hairpins fell off, her hair was disheveled, her body trembled, and her willow waist was weak, but I won't go into details.

When the wind and rain subsided, the two lay down in each other's arms. Aunt Xue remembered Xue Pan again and complained, "My heart is now ashen, and I only want to atone for my son's sins with the Buddhist lamp and the ancient Buddha, but you still treat me like this!"

After saying that, she raised her hand and started punching Chen Siyuan. Chen Siyuan let her punch him, only staring at Aunt Xue. After a few more punches, the fists, flying up and down, lost their strength and stopped after a while.

Chen Siyuan then said, "Judging by the time, your period should have ended eight or nine days ago, right?"

Aunt Xue was taken aback, then remembered what had just happened, and immediately said anxiously, "You, you... what if someone finds out in the future?"

As he spoke, he secretly thought to himself that he would take a dose of contraceptive soup when he got back.

Chen Siyuan put his arm around her and said, "I'm doing this because I'm afraid you'll get stuck in guilt and won't be able to get out of it."

"But--"

"There's no 'but' about it. As long as you conceal it carefully, who can tell?" Before Aunt Xue could explain, Chen Siyuan continued to entice her, "Once you're pregnant, after three months, it will be late spring. By then, your daughter-in-law, Cao, should be heading back to the capital. You can claim you missed Xue Pan and went south to give birth. When you return, just say you found a child. Who can tell if it's your own?"

Aunt Xue immediately frowned.

After a pause, Chen Siyuan said, "Baochai and I... can't get married until next year at the earliest, and as for children... I don't know when we'll be able to have one."

Yes, although Baochai is strong internally, she suffers from uterine coldness. All the doctors who have examined her say that Baochai has difficulty conceiving. It is for this reason that Aunt Xue has pushed for Baochai to also inherit the Xue family line.

"You're not too old yet, it's the perfect time to have a child. Otherwise, in a few years, even if you want one, you might not be able to."

Think about it: once you have a child, regardless of gender, you'll have someone to rely on. Your mind will have something to focus on, preventing you from wasting your days in aimless thinking.

After Chen Siyuan finished speaking, he carefully observed Aunt Xue's expression. He saw that her brows were slightly furrowed, but she was biting her lower lip and unable to speak, clearly indicating that she was somewhat tempted.

Chen Siyuan thought to himself that there was a chance, and then said, "You were born before I was born, and I was born after you were old... Although our relationship is a karmic entanglement, and I cannot give you a formal title in this life, I still hope that we can have a child together."

Aunt Xue was finally moved and couldn't help but hug Chen Siyuan back and sigh, "Alright, this matter... I'll do as you say."

(End of this chapter)