Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 410 Embroidered Robe Skillfully Connects Two Stars

Upon hearing this, Qingwen pondered and said, "That's simple. There's no need for elaborate embroidery. It should only take about ten days to make."

He then neatly folded the Sui and Tang dynasty wedding attire, wrapped it in fine cloth, and handed it to Chen Siyuan. Chen Siyuan gave him a few parting instructions before getting into his carriage and heading to the Xue family's old residence.

Leaving aside Chen Siyuan for now, let's talk about Qingwen. After answering Chen Siyuan correctly, she turned and went into the wedding shop. She found the dozen or so embroiderers and asked them questions one by one, either pointing out the needlework or explaining the embroidery techniques. When You Erjie came to the shop, Qingwen naturally helped her with the accounts.

There was nothing to do today, and Qingwen was expected to return after noon. However, around 9:00 AM, Sister You San suddenly arrived in a carriage.

The accompanying maid, Dongmei, went inside first and found Qingwen, saying, "Miss Qingwen, an official has come to our door, saying that something has happened to your cousin!"

Qingwen frowned slightly, thinking that Duoguan was causing trouble again because he was drunk, and said coldly, "What does he want this time?"

Dongmei said urgently, "Yesterday, your cousin drank too much and passed out drunk on the street. He was spotted by two beggars. The two men intended to steal his purse and leave, but the young man woke up halfway and got into a fight with them."

Qingwen was taken aback, then perked up and asked, "And then?"

"Later... the girl's cousin was very strong, and the two beggars were no match for him. One of them, in a fit of rage, found a brick from somewhere and smashed it on the head of the official... When the officers of the Ordinary Military Command found him, he was already dead."

Qingwen's heart tightened, and she immediately fell into a daze. She had been sold to the Lai family by her father when she was young, and from then on, she harbored a deep resentment. Later, she was chosen by Granny Lai and sent to the Jia family, where the Lai family found her a cousin, Duoguan. Qingwen held onto this obsession, and regardless of Duoguan's temperament, she always helped him.

When he was seriously ill and left the mansion, seeing that both Duo Guan and Duo Guniang ignored him, he gradually gave up hope. Humans aren't plants or trees; how could they be without feelings? After all, they were relatives; otherwise, Qingwen wouldn't have given him twenty taels of silver a few days ago.

Upon hearing the news of the deaths of many officials, Qingwen was filled with mixed emotions and could not quite articulate her feelings.

Dongmei didn't urge them, and soon Sister You came quickly. Dongmei quickly gave her a look, and Sister You sighed and comforted her, "Since the person is dead, he should be laid to rest... Did Master go to the Xue family's old house? Should I send someone to call him back?"

Qingwen came to her senses, shook her head with a wry smile, and said, "Today is Baochai's birthday, so it's best not to go and invite bad luck. I'll trouble Third Aunt to help out and make sure Cousin is properly restrained first."

“That’s how it should be.” Sister You San agreed, and then led Qingwen away from the wedding shop to the outer city mortuary to claim the body.

Because her cousin's home was thousands of miles away, Qingwen took it upon herself to buy a coffin for the deceased and donated money to hire a monk to perform a Buddhist ritual. She planned to find a place to bury him in three days.

On the other hand, when Chen Siyuan arrived at the Xue family's old residence, Cao Shi, as usual, hid in the backyard and only let Baochai come forward to answer questions.

Seeing Qingyu unloading various congratulatory gifts from the taxi, Baochai smiled and said, "It's just a normal birth, why make such a fuss?"

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "These were all sent by the sisters yesterday; I didn't arrange them myself."

Baochai smiled, feeling very pleased. Maids and servants carried various congratulatory gifts into the side room. Baochai noticed that Chen Siyuan was carrying a fine cloth bundle, and knew that it must contain a congratulatory gift he had prepared for her.

As the two talked, they entered the room. Baochai looked through the gifts one by one. The gifts from the other sisters were just for the occasion, such as a painting, a fan, a handkerchief, or shoes. Only the gift from Daiyu was precious: a Song Dynasty edition of the "Taiping Shenghui Fang" (Prescriptions for Universal Relief).

Baochai was overjoyed, and couldn't help but smile as she carefully flipped through the book. After a long while, she put it down and hurriedly instructed Ying'er to put the medical book away carefully. Then she frowned slightly.

Yingchun, Tanchun, Xichun, Daiyu, Xiangyun, Xing Xiuyan, and even Baoqin, that maid, all sent gifts appropriate for the occasion, but Baoyu's gift was nowhere to be seen.

Baochai sneered inwardly, thinking to herself, "Just as I thought!"
It's said that Baoyu cherishes and pities women, but in reality, he treats the women around him just like flowers and grass. When they're nearby, he'll show them some concern; but once they're far away, he'll completely forget about them!

Baochai was secretly overjoyed. Luckily, she had known Baoyu's true colors early on, which allowed her to swallow her pride and engage in a fierce battle of wits with Aunt Xue, pestering her for a full year before finally changing Aunt Xue's mind. Otherwise, she would probably still be agonizing over that damned "golden and jade marriage."

Chen Siyuan, observing the situation, asked, "What's wrong? Are you unhappy because you didn't see Brother Bao's congratulatory gift?"

Baochai snapped out of her reverie, smiled sweetly, and shook her head at Chen Siyuan, saying, "I never expected anything anyway, so why should I be unhappy? I was just feeling a little sentimental. Let's not talk about him," she glanced at the fine cloth bundle on the kang (heated brick bed), and smiled, "When do you plan to send the bundle over?"

Chen Siyuan laughed and pushed the bundle over, saying, "Sister Bao, open it and take a look yourself."

Baochai untied the bundle, revealing a Sui and Tang dynasty wedding outfit: a beige ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) over a five-layered hairpin-adorned ceremonial robe that gradually transitioned from indigo to crimson. A red gauze shawl also covered the garment, showcasing the extravagance of the Sui and Tang dynasties.

Ever since she learned that Chen Siyuan had given her a black and red wedding dress for welcoming spring, Baochai had secretly been looking through ancient paintings, examining all kinds of wedding dresses from the Qin and Han dynasties to the present. After some deliberation, she felt that only the wedding dresses of the Tang Dynasty were to her liking.

Such matters were not easy to discuss with Chen Siyuan, and Baochai secretly hoped that Chen Siyuan would understand her feelings. To her surprise, Chen Siyuan indeed sent her a Tang Dynasty wedding dress! While Baochai was overjoyed, she suddenly remembered that spoilsport Baoyu, who had once compared her to Yang Guifei.

With her period approaching, Baochai was inevitably a little temperamental. She immediately put on a stern face and said, "Could it be that you also heard Baoyu say that I resemble Consort Yang?"

Chen Siyuan clicked his tongue and his expression changed. He frowned and said reproachfully, "Just to tease Sister Bao, I've spent over a month? Doesn't Sister Bao feel guilty about that?"

Baochai chuckled and covered her mouth, saying, "It was just a joke, but you took it seriously."

Chen Siyuan immediately resorted to shamelessness, saying, "I went to great lengths, but my sister not only doesn't appreciate it, she even thinks I'm making fun of her... Oh dear, my heart suddenly sinks."

Baochai also enjoyed the little romantic moments between the two, so she leaned closer, resting half her body against Chen Siyuan, and looked up with a smile, asking, "So, what does brother intend to do?"

Chen Siyuan stroked his chin and looked Baochai up and down. Baochai blushed and said, "Don't think about such things... If you really can't hold back, just go find Ying'er. That girl would probably be very willing."

"Tsk, what's the matter with Guan Ying'er?" Chen Siyuan pondered for a moment, then tilted his head and lowered his voice, "How about you change into this outfit and let me see, sister? That should be alright, right?"

Baochai blinked, unsure whether to agree. Chen Siyuan, seeing an opportunity, began to pester her relentlessly, coaxing and persuading her until Baochai, unable to resist his nagging, had no choice but to shyly agree.

He immediately called Ying'er inside and chased Chen Siyuan out. Chen Siyuan sat slumped on a chair in the hall, only faintly hearing the chatter and laughter inside, which made Chen Siyuan's heart itch with desire.

After a long while, the inner curtain was lifted, and Ying'er came out with a smile, covering her mouth, and said to Chen Siyuan, "Master Yuan, the young lady invites you in."

Chen Siyuan suddenly stood up and took two steps at a time to enter the room. He glanced around and then stopped in his tracks.

Baochai, with a reserved air, moved closer and smiled, "What's wrong? Are you silly?"

Truly, she is: delicate and charming, a beauty beneath the beams. Her smile is radiant, captivating all who see her, like two mountains shrouded in mist, two streams flowing clear. Her slender waist sways gracefully, her small lotus steps deliberate. Her green makeup is like clouds swirling in the air, her breath carrying the faint fragrance of sandalwood; her face is as vibrant as a peach blossom, her skin as smooth and supple as cream. Truly, she is graceful and elegant, poised and elegant.

Chen Siyuan was thrilled, thinking that Baochai was indeed suited to Tang-style clothing. Suddenly, he noticed the inscription Baochai had written on the congratulatory gift; the brush and ink on the table hadn't been removed yet. He excitedly went to the table, picked up his brush, and wrote half a verse of "Half-Sky Flying":
The flowers are beautiful and delicate, and the skillful hands are adept at depicting them.

The land of Yue calls her by her name, and I can hold her in my arms.

If we were to become lovers, I would then paint your eyebrows, style your hair, apply makeup to your cheeks, and bind your slender waist.

So charming and beautiful, she dresses up to resemble Guanyin.

I don't envy those who had the two Qiao sisters back then.

Baochai glanced at them, her pretty face immediately flushed, and she scolded, "Flirtatious."

Chen Siyuan raised an eyebrow, turned the page over, and wrote another poem, "Linjiang Xian":

Love's fragrance lingers in spring, her beauty surpasses even Yang Guifei. I've gazed at her for a long time, leaning against the flowers. My parched stomach quenches my thirst, my hungry eyes temporarily satisfy their hunger. We meet again face to face, but I have no clever plan; all my scheming has been in vain. When will I be able to hold her full, beautiful face close? A jade hairpin hangs in my hair, her silk sleeve brushes against my clothes.

After finishing the book, Sister Bao immediately scolded, "You licentious!"

Chen Siyuan put down his pen, smiled without saying a word, and just stared at Baochai endlessly.

Baochai was deeply moved by his gaze, and after a moment's thought, she simply wrote a poem of longing on the back of this piece of paper:
Flowers bloom on every branch, butterflies flutter on every branch, lingering in the fragrant aroma, reluctant to leave. Warm sunshine dries their pink leaves.

Longing for the auspicious day, counting down the days, I spend my lazy days in my study. Spring's affections may be known only in dreams.

Chen Siyuan chuckled, pulled the fragrant powder into his arms, and teased in a low voice, "It's clearly the young lady who's been smitten, yet she blames me for being frivolous and dissolute."

Startled, Baochai quickly jumped back a step and said urgently, "There are people watching outside, you...you have to be careful!"

Even though Chen Siyuan couldn't help but feel aroused, he had no choice but to suppress his emotions. Since Cao Shi didn't show up, Baochai couldn't make too much of a fuss. The two of them had some wine and food together at noon, and while the maids and servants were away, they poured out their hearts to each other and lingered for a while. It wasn't until after 1 p.m. that Chen Siyuan reluctantly left.

When Chen Siyuan returned home that day, he did not see You Sanjie and assumed that she had gone to Baicaotang to settle accounts again. When You Erjie returned and told him about Duoguan's matter, Chen Siyuan then learned that You Sanjie had taken Qingwen to collect Duoguan's body for burial.

Chen Siyuan was naturally worried and hurriedly urged Qingyu to prepare the carriage and horses so they could head to the mortuary outside the city. But before the carriage and horses were even ready, You Sanjie led Qingwen back.

Chen Siyuan questioned the two of them for a long time. At this moment, Qingwen was somewhat silent, so You Sanjie told her the whole story and how she dealt with it.

Chen Siyuan quickly took Qingwen's soft hand and comforted her gently. Qingwen forced a smile, but in her heart she was not so much concerned about the officials, but rather lamented the impermanence of life.

Chen Siyuan then agreed to accompany Qingwen to send off Duoguan the next day, and then led Qingwen back to Rongguo Mansion.

Three days later, Chen Siyuan indeed sent off many officials along with Qingwen, and afterwards he continued to study behind closed doors.

Ten days or so passed in the blink of an eye, and it was already early February.

On this day, the second daughter gave birth to a son, but unfortunately, it was still during the mourning period for the Dowager Empress, so it was not appropriate to make too many arrangements. Considering that this was Yingchun's last birthday at home, although the elders could not participate, Yingchun and her sisters could still have a good time.

Since it was a small kitchen, a feast was prepared in the afternoon. Except for the inability to invite the opera troupe and storyteller, everything else was as usual.

Chen Siyuan didn't want to participate, since he had already given away the wedding dress. So this time, he specially asked Sister You's glass workshop to make a set of glass chess pieces as a novelty to play with.

Qingwen, Xiangling, Wu'er, and the others were all sent away by Chen Siyuan to join in the fun. When they returned, they chattered incessantly, saying that the mansion hadn't been this lively for quite some time.

After chatting and laughing with a few maids, Chen Siyuan suddenly thought of Grandmother Jia. He thought to himself, "This old lady is really patient. Could it be that she intends to postpone Daiyu's marriage until after the imperial examination?"

Just as he was pondering this, a commotion arose in the courtyard, and then Yunxiang came to report: "Master, Miss Cousin has arrived."

Chen Siyuan dared not delay and quickly got up to greet them. As soon as he got up and entered the hall, he saw his cousin Xing Xiuyan leading her pretty little maid Zhuan'er towards him.

The two locked eyes, and Chen Siyuan saw that her starry eyes were as before, and her charming smile was as it had always been.

Qingwen, Xiangling, and the others already knew about the affair between the two. As they were trying to curry favor, they offered fragrant tea and fruit, and the maids covered their mouths and laughed as they withdrew.

Once only the two of them remained inside, Xing Xiuyan recounted the lively scene from earlier, paused briefly, and then said, "I sent a letter to my parents a few days ago, planning to buy a small courtyard house in the outer city in the next few days."

Chen Siyuan blinked, and immediately realized what was going on.

Yes, Xing Xiuyan has always been on good terms with her second sister, Yingchun. Once Yingchun gets married, she will naturally follow her into the Rongguo Mansion. However, Xing Xiuyan is currently residing in the Rongguo Mansion. She can't very well leave from the Rongguo Mansion when she gets married, can she?
Chen Siyuan quickly said angrily, "I completely forgot about such a thing!"

Xing Xiuyan smiled and said, "You spend all your time reading behind closed doors, so naturally you'll forget things easily."

He read books every day, but he spent the rest of his time trying to figure out what Grandmother Jia was thinking.

Chen Siyuan hurriedly asked, "Does your cousin have enough money?"

Xing Xiuyan pouted and said, "Don't even mention it. How can we expect Father to do something like this?" She paused, then added, "I still have a lot of the money you gave me before. A small courtyard in the outer city is only a few hundred taels, so it won't cost much. I'm thinking of buying it first, having Mother find someone to tidy it up properly, and then moving out in a few days."

Chen Siyuan readily agreed to all of them and wanted to personally find a small courtyard, but Xing Xiuyan refused, saying that with the imperial examination approaching, studying was the most important thing.

Chen Siyuan had no choice but to agree. He felt indebted to Xing Xiuyan, and immediately took her soft hand and began to caress her tenderly.

After the two talked for a while, Xing Xiuyan smiled and said, "When I came here just now, I saw Amber go to Xiaoxiang Pavilion. I also heard that Madam, First Madam, and Second Sister-in-law were all in Rongqing Hall. I suppose my cousin's good news is coming soon."

(End of this chapter)