Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 53 Building momentum
As soon as Xing Dequan finished speaking, Third Sister Xing yelled angrily, "Stop talking nonsense! If you keep making noise, I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Perhaps it was because of his accumulated prestige that Xing Dequan suddenly became speechless.

Third Sister Xing spoke with Chen Siyuan for a while, then, after observing the weather, she said, "I've just sent for a banquet. Brother Yuan, please stay home for lunch and have lunch with us."

After all, they were relatives in public, so it was only natural to offer them a meal. Chen Siyuan readily agreed, "Then I'll trouble you, Third Aunt."

Third Sister Xing smiled and nodded, then stood up and said, "Then Brother Yuan, please rest for a while..." Suddenly, she glanced at Xing Dequan and scolded him, "At least act like an uncle. Don't mess with Brother Yuan!"

Xing Dequan agreed with a droopy head, saying, "Don't worry, Third Sister."

At that moment, Third Sister Xing did not stay long and took the maids and servants to the back to rest.

As soon as Third Sister Xing left, Xing Dequan suddenly became lively. When he heard the flute music stop, he couldn't help but say, "A good flute has been blown into the cry of a crow. They are both third in line, but the one with the surname You is probably even more ferocious than my third sister!"

Chen Siyuan pondered, "Surname You? But is it Old An You's family?"

I heard the You family mention that day that their residence was very close to the Xing family.

"Isn't it?" Xing Dequan said with a curled lip, "I wonder if my ancestors didn't do good deeds, why they ended up living next to that big female tiger." As he spoke, he raised his hand and pointed westward, saying, "Across a narrow alley is the You family."

Chen Siyuan vaguely remembered that the residence in the west wing was a small courtyard with two entrances, with Chaoqing Temple behind it. Since Old Lady You was a resident of An, her late husband was a sixth-rank official in Beijing. Their residence was clearly shabby, yet it was unknown how they became connected to the Ningguo Mansion and married You into the mansion as a second wife.

Thinking of Third Sister You's alluring eyes, Chen Siyuan's heart stirred, but he suppressed it. Now he was at the mercy of others, so he had to find a way to break the situation or escape. Otherwise, how could he still have the energy to hunt for women?
He chatted with his adopted uncle Xing Dequan for a while, and then around noon, Third Sister Xing came over and treated Chen Siyuan to a meal. The meal looked okay, with fish and meat, but it was a bit rough, lacking the fine taste of the Rongguo Mansion.

After noon, Chen Siyuan finished his tea and stood up to take his leave. Third Sister Xing had only said a few polite words, but Xing Dequan treated Chen Siyuan like his own nephew. He cordially escorted him out the door and said, "Brother Yuan, wait a minute. I'll come find you someday and explore the capital's famous sights. Don't say your uncle won't take care of you. I know Jinxiang Courtyard well, and I'll definitely introduce you to a first-class girl!"

Chen Siyuan agreed vaguely, but he had no such thoughts in mind. The Dashun Dynasty was not the Qing Dynasty. Emperor Taizong Li Guo suddenly rose up and swept across the north and south. After establishing his rule in the Central Plains, he led his troops north, marching straight into Shengjing and slaughtering the entire Qing Dynasty. Since then, and continuing to this day, the Dashun Dynasty has never imposed a maritime ban.

Because of this blend of East and West, it was naturally even more pronounced than during the Qing dynasty. On the bright side, the Dashun dynasty placed great emphasis on commerce and industry, so Western ideas and artifacts soon spread here; on the negative side, these horrific diseases were also introduced.

Hanging out in brothels? It would be fine if he was just courting prostitutes, but who would dare touch anything else? There was no cure these days. Once you were infected, at best, you'd be exposed to lead and mercury, which would kill you in a few years.

Moreover, there will be thousands of beautiful women in the Grand View Garden. If Chen Siyuan can really get away with it, won’t those sisters be a hundred times better than any courtesan?

Chen Siyuan just drank a few glasses of wine, rode slowly on his horse, and strolled for quite some time before returning to Rongguo Mansion.

Just as he returned the horse, he saw Yu Si running in from outside. When he reached Chen Siyuan, Yu Si bowed and said, "Master Yuan is finally back. The master sent me here to look for you twice."

Chen Siyuan was surprised and asked, "Master, are you looking for me?"

Yu Si urged, "Uncle Yuan, let's talk while we walk."

The two men immediately left Rongguo Mansion. When they were still a few steps away from the black oil gate, Yu Si whispered, "A wealthy businessman from Taigu handed us a door invitation this morning. Because there was a grand sacrifice at Ningguo Mansion today, the master took a leave. I didn't expect to run into him when I came back. I don't know what the master said to the wealthy businessman, but he turned around and told me to look for Master Yuan." What did the wealthy businessman from Shanxi come to find Jia She have to do with him?
Chen Siyuan was filled with wonder and walked straight through the black oil gate. A servant then led him to the outer study. However, after waiting for a moment, he saw Jia She and Madam Xing coming in, surrounded by people.

Chen Siyuan stood up to greet them, and stole a glance at them. He saw that Jia She's face was as gloomy as water, while Mrs. Xing, on the other hand, was beaming with joy.

Before Jia She could say anything, Mrs. Xing said, "Sir, there's no need to be so polite. Sit down and talk."

Chen Siyuan took a seat in response.

Jia She remained silent and held himself in high esteem, but he glanced at Madam Xing, who then smiled and asked, "Brother Yuan, have you seen Sun Muyou these past two days?"

Chen Siyuan responded to Sister Feng's request and started to lie, "I did see him just now."

Mrs. Xing said, "Since Sun Muyou was once Yuan Ge'er's tutor, he can't be considered an outsider. Why not invite him back later—"

Jia She coughed quickly and glanced at Mrs. Xing with disdain.

Mrs. Xing fell silent immediately, and for a moment she was unsure how to start again.

Chen Siyuan said, "Master Sun has important matters to attend to, so I'm afraid he won't be free for the time being."

Chen Siyuan offered to help, and Madam Xing immediately took advantage of the situation and said, "That's a pity..." Then she changed the subject and said, "Brother Yuan, I wonder if you still need the money to open the port?"

Chen Siyuan was filled with suspicion, thinking to himself that it was one thing for Mrs. Xing to be foolish, but Jia She was the kind of man who wouldn't give up until he saw the rabbit. Why was he rushing to give money now? Could this be related to the wealthy merchant from Taigu?

He frowned and said, "I haven't asked about this... If aunt is anxious, I can ask Master Sun tomorrow."

Madam Xing smiled brightly and said, "It's a good idea to ask. Your uncle has been close friends with Governor Yan for a long time. When he heard that Governor Yan was in trouble, he wanted to help."

No one would believe this!

Jia She coughed lightly and said, "Brother Yuan, remember not to publicize this matter—interaction between civil and military officials is a taboo."

"Yes, then I will go find Master Sun tomorrow."

Jia She nodded and said nothing more. Mrs. Xing then said, "That's enough. Brother Yuan, go back and get some rest."

Chen Siyuan agreed, walked out of the black greaseproof gate, and returned to his own courtyard, feeling puzzled. He was still thinking about the wealthy businessman, but as soon as he entered the courtyard, the little maid Yunxiang came up to him, her eyes wide open, and said, "Master, everyone says you've made a fortune!"

"what?"

(End of this chapter)