Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 360 Inheriting the Legacy and Continuing the Legacy (Part 2)
Having made up his mind, Chen Siyuan wouldn't allow Aunt Xue to have any other thoughts. After a long and tender night together, he urged Aunt Xue to return to the Xue family's old residence the next day.

Even if the Rongguo Mansion is a good family, it is still another family's residence. One or two times they go out, and other reasons can be given. But as time goes on, it will inevitably arouse suspicion from those above and below.

Perhaps because she was mentally and physically clear-headed, Aunt Xue dared not disobey Chen Siyuan's orders. The next day, she made an excuse that the old house was unattended and took a car back to the old house in the morning.

For the next few days, the two indulged in each other's company in a house in Da Gezi Alley until Baochai's birthday, when they finally separated and returned to Rongguo Mansion to celebrate Baochai's birthday.

Because of Xue Pan's untimely death, Baochai's sixteenth birthday celebration was not to be celebrated too extravagantly. Therefore, although elders, brothers, and sisters from all walks of life gave congratulatory gifts, no female folk artists or opera troupes were invited to celebrate.

Early in the morning, Sister Bao first burned incense and prayed in the courtyard, then bathed and changed her clothes before going around to greet everyone. After wandering around and returning to Hengwu Garden, all the sisters came to find Sister Bao to congratulate her.

After a while, the second young lady, Yingchun, had to take her leave because she was in charge of the household and had to go to the front to do some general affairs. Yesterday, Wang Ziteng gave Baoyu a Mongolian dwarf horse. Xiangyun couldn't sit still after hearing that. She suppressed her temper and talked to Baochai for a while before going to the front with Baoyu to see the horse. Xing Xiuyan hadn't returned from the estate, and Baoqin was having menstrual cramps, so she dragged the fourth young lady, Xichun, along with her.

In the blink of an eye, only Daiyu and Tanchun remained by Baochai's side.

As the three sisters were chatting and laughing, Ying'er entered with a smile, curtsied, and said, "Miss, Hongyu, who serves Master Yuan, has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Tan Chun laughed and said, "It must be a congratulatory gift for Sister Bao. Every year, Brother Yuan's congratulatory gifts are always so novel. I wonder what he will come up with this year."

Daiyu smiled and said, "Third sister is absolutely right. Usually, when brothers and sisters send congratulatory gifts, it's just a painting, a fan, or needlework, which is just to mark the occasion. But when it comes to him, it doesn't matter whether it's a baby's first birthday or not, he always puts in extra effort."

Baochai had been looking forward to it for a long time, so she said, "In previous years, when he first arrived, he wanted to get along well with everyone, so he naturally did his best. But once he started, there was no end to it. He did his best last year, so how could he be lazy this year? Before long, he's become quite arrogant. Every time he has a baby, I don't know how many times he has to scratch his head."

When Baochai told them something interesting, Daiyu and Tanchun covered their mouths and laughed.

As they spoke, Ying'er led Hongyu inside. Hongyu was dressed in a rouge-colored dress, her eyes brimming with undisguised joy. Upon approaching, she offered her congratulations, but Baochai scolded her playfully, "We don't need to be so formal. It's just a small reward; why are you making such a fuss?"

Hongyu then said, "It's never wrong to be polite... Besides, if I do my best, I might get double the reward."

Sister Bao smiled and shook her head, then quickly instructed Ying'er to fetch the silver box. Sure enough, she gave Hongyu a silver coin. The silver coin weighed five taels each and was very convenient to use. Hongyu happily thanked her, put away the silver coin, and then presented the brocade box she was holding.

The brocade box was small, even smaller than a book. As soon as Baochai got her hands on it, Tanchun and Daiyu urged her to come up with something new and interesting.

Unable to resist her pleading, Baochai blushed and opened the brocade box.

When the brocade box was opened, inside was a pair of lilac earrings with cat's eye pendants, and in addition, there was a folded letter on a hard paper, which looked like a memorial to the emperor.

Daiyu glanced at it, smiled but said nothing, and Tanchun asked in surprise, "Although this cat's eye lilac is quite valuable, it's not exactly novel. Could it be related to this memorial?"

Daiyu also said, "That's probably true. Sister Bao, why don't you open it and take a look?"

Baochai was also very puzzled, so she picked up the folded book and unfolded it slightly. When unfolded, it looked like a painting, but it only looked like the upper half. Just as she was wondering about this, Tanchun said from the side, "There is a line of writing on the back of the cover."

Baochai nodded in agreement, and only after examining the handwriting did she realize how to view the painting.

So Baochai unfolded the folded book completely, starting with the first page. The first fold depicted the joyous couple, the second the first stirrings of love, the third mutual affection, the fourth the success in the imperial examinations, the fifth the grand wedding procession, the sixth the children surrounding their parents, and the seventh the lifelong commitment…

Not only did Baochai herself get teary-eyed looking at it, but Daiyu and Tanchun beside her were also deeply moved.

Tan Chun said, "Brother Yuan really put a lot of thought into this. I didn't know that the painting could be folded up to look at it."

Daiyu opened her mouth, then pouted, thinking to herself that if that bastard Chen Siyuan dared to fool her when she celebrated her birthday in a few days, she would definitely teach him a lesson!

Baochai was a few years older than Daiyu and Tanchun, and fearing that others would notice her age difference, she quickly composed herself, exclaimed in admiration, and raised her head to say, "Brother Yuan has gone to so much trouble... Why didn't he come?"

Hongyu burst out laughing. Just now, Chen Siyuan had rushed out excitedly, but perhaps due to bad luck, he stepped right into dog poop after only a few steps, getting his shoes dirty and twisting his ankle.

Xiangling is rubbing it with medicinal wine right now, so it will probably be a while before she comes.

It was not appropriate to say such things outright, so Hongyu smiled and said, "Perhaps it's just a coincidence. Master twisted his ankle as soon as he went out and will have to wait a while before he comes back."

Fearing she might say the wrong thing, Hongyu quickly curtsied and said, "Now that the gift has been delivered, I will go back and report to my master."

Baochai agreed, and without needing to give any further instructions, Ying'er smiled and pulled Hongyu away.

The three sisters chatted and laughed inside for a while, when they heard a noise outside. Tan Chun said, "It must be Brother Yuan."

To everyone's surprise, Ying'er frowned as she entered and said in astonishment, "Miss, Third Master Huan has also come to deliver a congratulatory gift."

The Ning and Rong mansions were prominent families with a long history of intermarriage with nobles and officials. Therefore, the daughters of the mansions, regardless of whether they were born of the principal wife or a concubine, were treated equally on the surface. This was common sense, as the Jia family still needed to use their own daughters to cultivate relationships and expand their influence.

It's like Daiyu's birth mother, Jia Min, who married Lin Hai after her marriage. By then, the Lin family had long lost its noble title, but Lin Hai himself had worked hard and passed the imperial examination to become a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examinations). Despite the Lin family's decline, it was thanks to Jia Min's dowry that Lin Hai was able to achieve high honors a few years later and be selected as a Tan Hua (third-place scholar) by the emperor. From then on, he entered the Hanlin Academy and rose through the ranks, eventually being appointed as the head of the Yangzhou Salt Commissioner.

This marriage clearly shows that the Jia family was already planning to transition into civil service positions. Lin Ruhai, born into a noble family but whose family had fallen on hard times, and who had also succeeded in the imperial examinations, was arguably the best candidate.

The Jia family treated their daughters this way, but they were more discerning in their treatment of their sons, clearly distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate children. Firstly, this ensured proper succession and prevented illegitimate children from developing inappropriate thoughts; secondly, all the wives who married into the Jia family came from prominent and wealthy families—except for the second wives.

Just like Baoyu, as long as Lady Wang is alive, Jia Huan can never surpass Baoyu.

As a result, the young ladies in the mansion often interacted with each other, but among the men, only Baoyu could often mingle with the young ladies. The rest, Jia Lian, was older, while Jia Cong and Jia Huan, who were born out of wedlock, were not usually allowed to enter the garden easily.

Although Baochai was on good terms with Aunt Zhao, she didn't think she had ever crossed any lines. So why was Jia Huan also sending a congratulatory gift?

Baochai looked around, then exchanged glances with Daiyu and Tanchun. Tanchun frowned and asked, "Why is Huan-ge'er here?"

Baochai pondered for a moment and said, "It's a token of my goodwill. Ying'er, let Huan-ge'er come in."

Ying'er agreed and turned to leave. Tan Chun then said, "My brother loves to cause trouble. Who knows what he's up to?"

Baochai laughed and said, "Next year, Huan-ge will be a year older, and who knows, he might change his mind?"

Tan Chun scoffed inwardly, thinking to herself: "It's easier to change mountains and rivers than to change one's nature. Unless a tremendous event occurs, Jia Huan's temperament will be difficult to change."

Daiyu, standing nearby, recalled the night of the Lantern Festival when she and Chen Siyuan entered the Grand View Garden and happened to see Jia Huan setting off firecrackers. At that time, Jia Huan stared intently at her, which made Daiyu quite unhappy.

Daiyu wondered to herself, "Could it be that they've come for me?"
While they were pondering, Ying'er led Jia Huan inside. Once inside, Jia Huan scanned the room with his thieving eyes, slumped his shoulders, and walked with a slovenly gait. When he got close, he presented the scroll with a sheepish grin and offered his congratulations.

He gave a perfunctory congratulatory speech before presenting the scroll in his hand.

Ying'er handed it over, and Baochai unfolded it to take a look. It was a copy of a painting of pine trees and snow. It looked... extremely clumsy! Baochai put the scroll away and smiled, "Huan-ge'er is so thoughtful. When you have a son, I will definitely return the favor with a gift."

At this moment, Jia Huan kept stealing glances at Daiyu with his thieving eyes. Because he was distracted, he didn't answer. Ever since Jia Huan arrived, Tan Chun had been keeping a close eye on her brother. Seeing him lost in thought and staring intently at Daiyu, she was immediately enraged.

He slammed down his teacup, startling Jia Huan into regaining his composure. He quickly made up a few perfunctory remarks.

Tan Chun couldn't bear to watch any longer and said, "Now that the congratulatory gift has been delivered, you should go back early. Remember to put more effort into your studies and stop being so carefree."

Jia Huan felt sullen, but seeing the unfriendly look in his older sister's eyes, he lowered his thieving gaze and meekly agreed. Before leaving, he stole a glance at Daiyu before turning away.

As soon as the person left, Tan Chun immediately apologized to Daiyu: "Don't worry, Sister Lin, I will definitely talk to Auntie about this later. What a lewd seed, daring to have such wild thoughts!"

Daiyu was naturally unhappy. Lin Daiyu was not the kind of person who could be easily manipulated. It was only because Tanchun was there that she would have exposed Jia Huan's true colors!
Upon hearing this, Daiyu simply nodded silently, saying nothing more. Baochai then teased, "It's no wonder that Lin Daiyu is becoming more and more beautiful. Not to mention men, even I would feel pity for her."

Daiyu knew that Baochai's teasing was to save face for Tanchun, so she laughed and joked along with her. After a while, Tanchun could no longer sit still and got up to go find Aunt Zhao.

Daiyu was in a bad mood. She drank another cup of tea before getting up and returning to Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

The bustling Hengwu Garden fell silent again. Baochai opened the brocade box, put on the pair of cat-eye lilac ornaments, and looked at the folded paintings several times. Unconsciously, the corners of her mouth turned up, and a smile appeared on her face. She thought to herself, "Next year's special imperial examination and the year after that, two opportunities in total. Who knows, if I'm lucky, I might pass with flying colors. By then, I'll be seventeen or eighteen, just the right age to get married."

In the future, she will cook and serve her husband, and have another child... If she can receive an official title in ten or twenty years, her life will be complete.

As Baochai was lost in thought, she didn't notice Chen Siyuan quietly turning around the screen and tiptoeing closer.

Seeing Baochai's serene smile and the glimmer of hope in her eyes, Chen Siyuan couldn't help but smile. He circled around to the back, then suddenly reached out and pulled Baochai into his arms, whispering in her ear, "What are you thinking about, Baochai? Why are you so lost in thought?"

Baochai exclaimed in surprise. When she heard the familiar voice, she turned her head and glared at Chen Siyuan, then slapped him lightly, saying, "You're such a rascal! You scared my heart almost out of my chest!"

Chen Siyuan chuckled and said, "Is the gift satisfactory?"

"Mm." Sister Bao smiled and nodded.

Chen Siyuan was secretly pleased; there was an art to giving congratulatory gifts. When Baochai was with Baoyu, she took the Cold Fragrance Pill, and her mind was filled with scheming, her eyes brimming with ambition. But when she was with him, she stopped taking the Cold Fragrance Pill, and her sincerity increased, her scheming lessened, yet her ambition remained unchanged.

Therefore, this gift is divided into two parts: the folded painting represents the sentiment, and the cat's eye lilac represents the aspiration; neither can be omitted.

If it were Daiyu, she would probably cry like a little kitten just from flipping through the painting.

Fearing that someone else might come, Baochai urged, "Sit down quickly, lest someone see you." After a pause, she added, "Why didn't Ying'er inform them?"

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "Ying'er is so sensible that she naturally won't inform them."

Baochai blushed deeply and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Just now, Lin Daiyu was quite envious of those folding paintings. In the future, you will have to put in even more effort to help her."

Chen Siyuan said confidently, "I dare not say more about anything else, but I have plenty of such little schemes."

Upon hearing this, Baochai immediately scolded her, saying, "It's strange, you don't seem to have anything special about your writing, but you have so many of these little tricks to flirt with women."

Chen Siyuan laughed it off and said, "I just happened to see Third Sister storming out of the garden when I arrived. But who has offended her?"

Baochai was taken aback and frowned, saying, "Isn't it Huan-ge'er? I don't know if he's gone mad. Under the guise of delivering congratulatory gifts, he kept stealing glances at Lin-ya-tou, making Tan-ya-tou half-dead with anger!"

Chen Siyuan's face immediately darkened. Recalling the events of the Lantern Festival, he gritted his teeth and said, "Is Huan Laosan asking for trouble?"

Baochai said, "Lin is also angry, but she can't do anything because Tan is here." She paused and then said, "You don't need to worry. With Tan standing by, Aunt Zhao and her son, although they are a bit clueless, won't dare to offend you. I think Huan Laosan will definitely be taught a lesson."

Chen Siyuan thought about it and agreed. The two embraced and cuddled for a while. Knowing that he could no longer hide his relationship with his second sister Yingchun, Chen Siyuan whispered, "I have already spoken with the master. After my second sister's birthday, the marriage will be finalized."

Baochai trembled, her heart filled with grievance and resentment, yet she knew there was no way to undo the damage. She responded softly, with a hint of resentment, "This is for the best. Second Sister is gentle by nature, so there will be fewer troubles in the family in the future."

Chen Siyuan sighed and said nothing more, only holding Baochai tightly.

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

Meanwhile, Tan Chun stormed out of the Grand View Garden, wandered around, entered Lady Wang's courtyard through a side gate, bypassed the main house, and arrived at Aunt Zhao's small courtyard on the side.

Upon entering the room, they found only Xiao Jixiang there. After asking, they learned that Jia Zheng had sent a letter, and Aunt Zhao had gone to Lady Wang to hear it.

When asked again, Xiao Jixiang shook her head, saying she didn't know and didn't know where the third brother Huan had gone off to again.

After waiting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Aunt Zhao returned, cursing and swearing, "You have no conscience!"

Upon entering the room, Aunt Zhao's eyes reddened as she saw Tan Chun sitting up on the kang (a heated brick bed). She immediately cried out, "My child, your father has probably forgotten about us. That vixen surnamed Fu is now pregnant again!"

Tan Chun was quite surprised and hurriedly asked, "Did you hear this from the letter, Aunt?"

Aunt Zhao pouted and said, "It was only two pages of letter, and it didn't mention me at all. It was all nonsense. It was only after the madam pressed him a few times that the servant who delivered the letter finally confessed."

Tan Chun was deeply worried upon hearing this. As a daughter of the Jia family, she naturally didn't need to worry about her allowance. Moreover, because of her intolerant nature and decisive management of the household, she was no longer looked down upon. However, Aunt Zhao and Jia Huan were not so fortunate. Not only did they have Lady Wang above them, but Aunt Zhao had also offended Feng Jie over the years due to her foul mouth.

Now that both of the most powerful figures in the household have been offended, no matter who wins in the future, neither Aunt Zhao nor Jia Huan will have a good life.

Unfortunately, Tan Chun was confined to her chambers, unable to display her talents. After pondering for a long time, she suddenly realized that only by finding a suitable marriage could she protect her birth mother and brothers!
For some reason, Tan Chun suddenly thought of Chen Siyuan, and her brows furrowed even more.

After sobbing for a while, Aunt Zhao wiped her tears and said, "My son, why didn't you stay with Bao'er? Why did you come to see me?"

Tan Chun snapped out of her daze, glanced at Aunt Zhao, and said coldly, "Don't even mention it! Aunt Zhao's good son is getting more and more outrageous!"

Aunt Zhao was puzzled and said, "Huan-ge'er? What does it have to do with Huan-ge'er? Your brother has become quite successful now. He spent two days copying a painting before choosing one as a congratulatory gift. Didn't he just go to deliver the gift?"

Tan Chun sneered, "Where is this a congratulatory gift? It's clearly a case of ulterior motives!" She then recounted how Jia Huan had lewdly spied on Daiyu.

Aunt Zhao, a simpleton, suddenly pondered and said, "Lin is a good girl, but unfortunately she's frail, and her dowry was misappropriated by the household. If she were to marry your brother—"

Tan Chun's face changed drastically in fright, and she could no longer listen to what was going on. She quickly stopped Aunt Zhao, saying, "Aunt, please shut up! Sister Lin and Brother Yuan already have a marriage certificate. Even if they don't, how could Brother Huan possibly covet it? If you continue to speak so recklessly, you might offend Brother Yuan as well!"

Aunt Zhao then regained her senses and frowned, saying, "That's true. I was wondering why Huan'er would send a congratulatory gift to Bao'er all of a sudden. So that's why!"

(End of this chapter)