Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 49: Third Sister You (Third update, please read, collect, recommend and vote for monthly tickets)

Chen Siyuan paused and asked, "Is the illness serious?"

The manager said, "It's hard to say... But I'm afraid that even if he recovers, it will be difficult for Master Qiang to come forward."

As they were talking, they arrived at the Deyi Gate. Chen Siyuan was about to go back to meet Feng Jieer when he suddenly heard the sound of a carriage behind him. Turning around, he saw a carriage approaching. It stopped at the Deyi Gate. A servant hurriedly brought a footstool. The curtains jumped open and a woman of about forty stepped out.

Two more girls soon emerged from the carriage. The older one, fifteen or sixteen, dressed in a plain jacket, was handsome and graceful, with a gentle figure. She glanced briefly at Chen Siyuan before covering her face with her sleeve. The younger one, fourteen or fifteen, had eyebrows like willow leaves in early spring and a face like peach blossoms in March. She had a slender waist and a soft, sweet mouth. She was a charming, graceful woman, as charming as a flower, with a graceful face and a fragrant fragrance.

From head to toe, the wind flows downwards; from toe to head, the wind flows upwards.

The most interesting thing was that this girl was not like the older one before. She glanced at Chen Siyuan, smiled and stared at him for a long time, then clasped her hands and whispered with the older woman.

The steward whispered, "Uncle Yuan, it's Old Man You and his family who are here."

Chen Siyuan knew what was going on, figuring the bold woman must be Third Sister You. Following protocol, he stepped aside to avoid colliding with the women.

Unexpectedly, when Old Man You saw him, he immediately came over with a smile on his face: "This is the eldest lady's nephew...Brother Yuan, right?"

Chen Siyuan bowed and said, "Greetings, Mr. An."

Old Man You laughed and said, "Oh, it was all thanks to Brother Yuan last time, otherwise I don't know how much trouble we would have caused. My son-in-law has been praising Brother Yuan a lot in private. Haha, the Xing family is not far from my home, so we should visit each other often in the future."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "Since Old An has given the order, I will definitely pay you a visit someday."

"That's a sure thing." Elder You then led the second and third sisters into the ceremonial gate. As the third sister entered the gate, she suddenly turned around and gave Chen Siyuan a playful smile before following her mother inside.

Chen Siyuan cursed inwardly, "Witch!" and stopped near the ceremonial gate for a while. When he figured the You family had gone far away, he went back to see Wang Xifeng.

This funeral had been going on for a long time, and Wang Xifeng had established the rules, so it should be in perfect order now. So when Chen Siyuan entered, he happened to see Wang Xifeng and Ping'er talking.

Seeing Chen Siyuan arrive, Wang Xifeng stood up and greeted him warmly: "Brother Yuan is finally here. I was thinking that Brother Yuan would invite you again tomorrow."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "I've been busy with various things lately, but it's not that I'm being negligent on purpose."

After everyone sat down, Wang Xifeng smiled and said, "I also heard a rumor that...Brother Yuan knows Governor Yan's assistant?"

"Yes, Master Sun was once my tutor, so we have a close relationship."

Wang Xifeng immediately had an idea. Madam Xing was as greedy as Jia She, and her maids were often treated harshly. She didn't spank or scold them, simply fined them when they made a mistake. The fined maids naturally complained bitterly, because any disturbance in the East Wing would spread quickly throughout the entire mansion.

After some time, Wang Xifeng naturally learned about the port opening. Now that Wang Xifeng was the housekeeper, the Jia family only maintained a splendid appearance, but had long been struggling financially.

If Wang Xifeng wanted to avoid living beyond her means, she would have to deduct the monthly wages of her maids and servants to lend money. While this offered high interest, it was not a secure livelihood. Lending could bankrupt her family, and even the most coercive tactics would make her unable to pay. Compared to this, the risks of opening a port were negligible.

In the past two years, Feng Jieer had secretly saved some money. Since it was not appropriate to use the public funds for the opening of the port, she could just invest her own money. I heard from the subordinates that this would earn 50% interest in just half a year. Isn't it much safer than lending money?
When Feng Jieer heard this, she exchanged a glance with Ping Er, then smiled and discussed with Chen Siyuan, "Brother Yuan, I wonder if I can get involved in this port opening?"

Chen Siyuan was puzzled. "Ah? Second sister-in-law wants to get involved too? But she doesn't know how much she has to pay. Second sister-in-law, you don't know. If you don't pay less than one thousand taels, they won't accept it."

Wang Xifeng said, "Of course I know that. I've saved some money over the years, roughly three thousand taels." As she spoke, she personally poured tea for Chen Siyuan and whispered, "Brother Yuan, we're not strangers, could you help me out a bit?"

Chen Siyuan was in a dilemma. There was nothing wrong with lying to Madam Xing; she didn't even consider him her nephew. In contrast, Sister Feng seemed to be a man of integrity and loyalty.

Chen Siyuan said, "Second sister-in-law, you know that although Master Sun and I have some friendship, it's not appropriate for me to meddle in such a major matter. So... I'll consult with Master Sun tomorrow and then come back to you, okay?"

"Okay, regardless of whether it works or not, I'll always remember Brother Yuan's kindness!" As he spoke, he held up a teacup and said, "Here, I'll have tea instead of wine. Let me offer you a cup of tea, Brother Yuan!"

Chen Siyuan took a sip from his cup, sat for a moment, and then went to inspect the area. He thought to himself, Wang Xifeng has high hopes for me, and it would be a shame to let her down. Well, I'll just cheat her out of a thousand taels.

Arriving at the East Courtyard in a moment, they saw that the outer study courtyard was indeed locked. Chen Siyuan thought of Jia Rong and Jia Qiang, and felt a slight relief. He wondered if Sun Guangcheng, upon hearing the news, would be tempted to attack Jia Qiang directly...

After a round of inspection, Chen Siyuan went to Xiangnan Hall to take charge.

I had just had some tea and snacks when I suddenly heard the jingling of jewelry behind me. I turned around and saw Third Sister You coming towards me with a smile.

Third Sister You came closer, bowed, and said cheerfully, "Hello, Brother Chen! Yes, just call me Third Sister."

Chen Siyuan stood up and returned the greeting: "Hello, Third Sister."

Third Sister You then said, "I saw Baoyu yesterday and heard Meiren say that Brother Chen's poems were wonderful! I didn't believe it at first, but after Meiren recited two poems, I suddenly felt that there really is something better than what you can do."

Chen Siyuan said, "It's just a game, not worthy of Third Sister's praise."

Third Sister You surveyed Chen Siyuan's figure and demeanor, her heart growing fonder as she looked. Her face flushed, and she said, "Well-deserved! I can barely read, but I feel that Brother Chen's poems are full of lofty sentiments, quite reminiscent of Li Bai and Du Fu. I'm delighted to see this, but I wonder if Brother Chen has any other excellent works?"

Chen Siyuan was so enticed by the unabashed gaze of his third sister that he was about to refuse, but suddenly an idea struck him, and he said, "Poetry is just a minor art... But after hearing what you said, I do feel something."

Third Sister You's eyes suddenly lit up, and she clasped her hands together and praised, "Brother Chen is indeed a natural poet. Please recite it quickly, and I will listen carefully."

Chen Siyuan paced forward, reciting, "Li Bai and Du Fu's poems have been passed down through the ages, and even now they feel stale. Every generation has produced talented people—" He suddenly stopped, turned to look at Third Sister You, and then recited the last line: "—each one leading the trend for hundreds of years."

　Add one more chapter, everyone please read it~
　　
　
(End of this chapter)