Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 36 The Charming Courtyard
After the plan was finalized, Feng Jieer was busy with other matters, so she drank a cup of tea and left in a hurry.

Xiangling put away the teacups and saw that Chen Siyuan had become quite tanned over the past few days. She couldn't help but say with concern, "Master, you've been working hard these past few days. Since you have nothing to do this afternoon, why don't you take a rest first?"

Chen Siyuan readily agreed and said, "Alright, I'm feeling sleepy now. I'll go take a nap first."

Xiangling hurried in first to spread the bedding for him, and helped Chen Siyuan change his clothes and lie down, then she went to the study in the east end to read.

outside room.

The maidservant Yunxiang was sweeping the room while looking inside. After she finished sweeping, she clapped her hands and tiptoed back to the main room. Unexpectedly, Hongyu saw her and asked, "Where are you going?"

Yunxiang stopped and said with a pout, "I have something to talk to you, Master."

Hongyu took two steps forward to block him, looked him over and said, "Master, please take a break. We can talk later if you have anything else."

Yunxiang was unwilling to do that. She said, "I asked Master about the shop last time, but it's been over ten days and he still hasn't replied. My third sister kept asking me about it yesterday."

Hongyu's face turned cold, and she said, "How dare you question me? You're just a third-class maid assigned to my house. I've paid you well to begin with. I'm considerate of you and give you an extra hundred bucks a month. And yet you dare to ask for more? Today it's your third sister, tomorrow will your eldest and second sisters ask me for help with their errands?"

Yunxiang immediately got angry and said stubbornly, "You were sent here too, a third-class maid just like me. The master just said it casually, but you took it as a token of authority. Do you really think you are the head maid now?"

Hongyu sneered and said, "Maidens of different ranks are discussed in the mansion. In this little courtyard, Master has given his orders, and from now on you must obey me. It's okay if you don't obey. I'll talk to Master later and send you back wherever you came from tomorrow!"

"You!" Yunxiang was so angry that her whole body was shaking, but Hongyu had the upper hand and she couldn't refute it.

Hongyu lectured him coldly again, "Also, don't gossip about me from now on. Miss Yan'er came today and clearly asked about Xiangling, but Xiangling hasn't said anything yet, and you've spilled all the beans. If you keep gossiping like this, I'll deduct a hundred yuan for every time you say something!"

Yunxiang was so angry that her eyes turned red. She stamped her feet in anger, turned around and ran into the side room, lying on the kang and sobbing.

Chen Siyuan had just lain down and hadn't fallen asleep yet, so the commotion outside naturally reached his ears without missing a beat. When the commotion died down, Chen Siyuan couldn't help but smile. He thought to himself, Hongyu had already taught Yunxiang a lesson before he could even tell her to. Hongyu was truly considerate.

After pondering for a while how to deal with Sun Guangcheng, he fell into a deep sleep. When he opened his eyes again, he saw that the lights were on inside.

There was a faint sound in the west, and Xiangling came quickly with a fragrant breeze.

"Master, are you awake?"

Chen Siyuan stretched his neck and asked in a muffled voice, "What time is it?"

Xiangling replied, "It's almost midnight. Hongyu came back with the food box, but I saw that Master was still asleep, so I didn't call him. The food box is now on the smoking basket."

As they were talking, someone came over to help Chen Siyuan get dressed. Chen Siyuan said, "I've been covered in dust these past few days. Bring the bathtub over later. I need to take a good shower tonight."

Xiangling agreed obediently.

Perhaps due to his excessive sleep, Chen Siyuan's appetite was average, but he ate a little before putting down his chopsticks. Xiangling cleared the dishes, and soon Hongyu and Yunxiang came in with a bathtub.

After not seeing her for an afternoon, Yunxiang's eyes were still red, but she looked much more well-behaved than usual.

Hongyu and Yunxiang brought in buckets of hot water. Chen Siyuan secretly calculated that this round trip would take at least an incense stick of time. So when the tub was half full, he asked, "How about the water we carry to the East Courtyard's water room?"

Hongyu said "yes".

Chen Siyuan said, "That's too much trouble. I see there's a stove in the east wing's side room. As the weather gets colder, why don't we boil some water ourselves?" Yunxiang said, "No other girls have such a custom. I'm afraid the one in charge will complain."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "Rules are dead, but people are alive. Hongyu, tomorrow you will take care of this matter and get it done."

"Yes, don't worry, sir."

After Chen Siyuan finished giving the order, Yunxiang was about to say something, but was glared back by Hongyu. She then reluctantly retreated with Hongyu.

Xiangling rubbed her body and leaned forward, blushing and saying, "Master, I, I will help you bathe."

"Ah."

Chen Siyuan slightly opened his arms and let Xiangling undress him. After a while, he took off his shirt and stepped into the bathtub.

Xiangling wet the handkerchief, lightly touched the water stains on his back, and then wiped it.

Chen Siyuan looked frail, but in reality, his frailty was due to his tall stature. When he took off his clothes, his slender back and waist swayed, making Xiangling blush even more.

Seeing Xiangling was silent, Chen Siyuan asked, "Have you gained anything from your reading these past two days?"

Xiangling said in a whisper, "Master is not here, and I don't know who to turn to for help. I'm just watching the fun." After a pause, she added, "The second and third girls both say that Master's poems are excellent. How about I become his disciple?"

Become a teacher? Male teacher and female student's daily puzzles.AVI?

Chen Siyuan collected his thoughts and said, "Let's wait for some time. Besides, I'm afraid my method of writing poetry is not suitable for you... You should learn it on your own first, and I will find a master for you later."

Xiangling responded, then after a while stammered, "Master, my back has been scraped. I should... turn around."

Chen Siyuan responded, and Xiangling immediately turned to face him, blushing as she took a handkerchief and began to wipe. The charcoal fire in the smoker was scorching, steam rising from the air. Xiangling was only wearing her undershirt, and the slightest movement revealed her bellyband, which was barely visible underneath.

Chen Siyuan glanced at her a few times, and immediately his anger rose. He thought to himself: No hurry, no hurry, I have to make arrangements for my escape first, otherwise wouldn't it harm Xiangling?
After arranging a retreat, being able to conceal the truth would be the best option. If that didn't work, then they could take Xiangling and flee a thousand miles away. Not counting future gains, the four thousand taels of silver alone would be enough for the two of them to live happily.

After a long while, Xiangling was exhausted and sweating profusely. She washed Chen Siyuan's body and found a clean undershirt for him to wear.

Chen Siyuan went to rest on the bed. Xiangling tidied up for a long time before she went into the west room.

Because this had been going on for more than ten days, Xiangling obediently went to bed. Chen Siyuan stretched out his arms and hugged her again. Xiangling was immediately startled, wondering why the master had hidden the book again.
After a moment, Xiangling suddenly turned around, her brows lowered as she said, "Master, I... haven't taken off my rouge yet. Master... would you like to eat?"

Xiangling's shy look was more than enough to say a thousand sweet nothings. Chen Siyuan's heart fluttered, and he immediately lowered his head to pay his respects.

After a long while, the two separated. Xiangling was breathing heavily, buried in Chen Siyuan's arms. After a while, she raised her pretty face, with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "You are still young. It's not good to lose your virginity too early."

Xiangling bit her lower lip and responded, then whispered, "Last time... I told you about the way to serve people..."

Xiangling couldn't continue. She bravely looked up, only to see Chen Siyuan respond again. Xiangling took a deep breath, slid down, and reached down...

(End of this chapter)