Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 61 Study Room
"Madame Lai?"

Chen Siyuan was stunned, secretly wondering how he could have forgotten about such a wealthy family like the Lai family.
Hongyu thought Chen Siyuan didn't understand what was going on, so she followed him inside and explained, "That Madam Lai is truly remarkable, having served several generations of masters. Her two sons are now stewards of the East and West Palaces. When ordinary clan members see her, they all call her 'Grandpa Lai.' Madam Lai is always respectable even in front of the old lady, so you can't neglect her, Master."

Chen Siyuan knew Hongyu meant well, so he smiled and said, "I'll remember that."

The Lai family has been slaves for generations, but now they are more respectable than the real masters. The young men from the Jia family have to call them "Grandpa Lai" when they meet them. It seems that there is also a Lai Shangrong who became an official later?
Tsk tsk, with such schemes and methods, Chen Siyuan naturally did not dare to be careless.

When he entered the room, Xiangling came to greet him. Two maids helped Chen Siyuan change his clothes and wash his hands and face.

After a while, Hongyu went outside to take care of some chores, and Chen Siyuan went into the study, found some pen and ink, and started sketching.

After Xiangling provided her with writing materials and ink, she quietly began to read the poetry book.

Chen Siyuan thought to himself that he couldn't follow Qin Zhong's lead no matter what; it was too dangerous. But if he wanted to plot against Sun Guangcheng and the others, he had to lay out bait. This meant investigating the inner workings of the Qin and Jia families, and perhaps even the cause of Qin Keqing's death.

Qin Ye must have known about it, but Qin Zhong couldn't say for sure. Who else knew? Jia Zhen, Jia Rong... Jia Qiang.

Tsk, Jia Qiang was at least the great-great-grandson of the Ningguo Mansion, so it was not easy to set one's sights on him. Therefore, Jia Zhen and Jia Rong, father and son, were even more afraid to get involved.

Is there anyone else who knows the inside story?
Chen Siyuan thought about it for a while and then came up with an idea.

Qin's maid, Baozhu!

One of Qin's two maids "died by hitting a pillar"... Ha, this story can fool outsiders, but Chen Siyuan has seen people hitting pillars before. Ruizhu looks about the same age as Baozhu, so how could she have so much strength to hit herself to death?
A little thought will reveal that Ruizhu might have discovered the truth and died by hitting the pillar.

Ruizhu died, leaving Baozhu. This maid was clever, and simply acknowledged Qin as her adoptive mother. She was now on duty at the coffin, volunteering to carry the coffin.

What happened to this precious pearl? His memories of the past life were already fragmented. Although the memories related to the Red Mansion were relatively complete, Chen Siyuan had always been interested in girls like the Twelve Beauties. How could he care about the whereabouts of a little maid?
Chen Siyuan didn't remember it for a long time, and he thought that Baozhu was a smart person. If he were in Baozhu's place, what would he do?

Returning to the Rongguo Mansion after the funeral? That would be courting death! As Qin's personal maid, Baozhu must have known some of the inside story, but unlike the unfortunate Ruizhu, she had never actually caught the trick, which is why she was able to save her life.

It seemed that Baozhu could no longer stay in Ningguo Mansion. She would definitely find a way to leave. She was just a maid, and her indentures were all in Ningguo Mansion. How could she escape?

After pondering for a long time, Chen Siyuan suddenly had an idea and secretly clenched his fists, thinking: Yes, since I am Qin's adopted daughter, isn't it natural for me to mourn for my mother? Since Jia Zhen has decided to keep Qin's body in Tiekan Temple, I think if Baozhu wants to survive, she will definitely stay in Tiekan Temple in the future.

Under such circumstances, with so many people watching, Jia Zhen couldn't act anyway and could only wait and find an opportunity later. If Baozhu escaped from Tiekan Temple, she would be safe and sound; if she couldn't escape, she would still die.

Chen Siyuan had been to Tiekan Temple before. Although servants patrolled the area, it wasn't a perfect net. A careful search would surely reveal an opportunity. Besides, he had spent a fortune repeatedly to befriend three good brothers. Wasn't this the moment he had been waiting for?
Chen Siyuan made up his mind and slowly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that he must find an opportunity to talk to Baozhu in the near future, so that it would be convenient for subsequent matters.

Suddenly he noticed that Xiangling was leaning beside him, wringing her hands. Chen Siyuan raised his eyes and saw the girl staring at him with a pair of misty eyes.

Their eyes met, Xiangling hurriedly lowered her head, then looked up at Chen Siyuan again.

Chen Siyuan had an idea and could not help but calm down. He immediately pulled Xiangling's hand, pulled her into his arms, and said gently, "What's wrong?"

Xiangling shook her head at first, then said shyly: "Master...it will be my turn to be on duty tomorrow." Oh, is Tiangui gone?

Chen Siyuan smiled and said "OK".

Xiangling added, "Master has supplemented Hongyu's monthly allowance. According to the established practice in the mansion, Sister Hongyu is now considered a second-class maid... From now on, I have to take turns with her on night duty."

Chen Siyuan was naturally eager to do so, but he coaxed her, "Is it really necessary to go through so much trouble? Just have her come instead when it's inconvenient for you."

Xiangling quickly shook her head and said, "No, no, there's no such rule...it's fine to switch gears." After a pause, she whispered, "I see Sister Hongyu staring at me from time to time, too."

Seeing Xiangling so shy, who was obviously very happy but was too timid to keep her to herself, Chen Siyuan immediately hugged her tightly.

The scent of the girl's fragrance lingered in his nose, and soon a pair of thieving hands became restless.

Xiangling frowned and said angrily, "Master...it's still daytime."

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "No problem. I'm in a very good mood today, so I'll teach you a poem."

Xiangling endured the discomfort and was immediately interested when she heard that he was going to teach her a poem. She asked, "What poem? Was it written by you, Master?"

"It was made by our predecessors."

After saying this, Chen Siyuan chanted in a rhythmic, sometimes fast, sometimes slow voice:

A ray of spring breeze penetrates the crabapple tree, and the fragrant sweat wets my silk gown. The pleasure in this is only felt in the mind, and the sleepy body is full of meaning.

I don't know what tricks Chen Siyuan used in this poem. It took him more than a cup of tea to recite the poem. When he finished reciting, Xiangling shuddered and rolled her eyes. It took her a long time to catch her breath.

Xiangling leaned against Chen Siyuan and called out softly, "Master~"

Chen Siyuan couldn't help but feel the urge to steal. He was about to ask Xiangling for help when he heard the door open. Xiangling jumped aside in fright, glancing at Hongyu who had come in. She quickly grabbed a book and hid by the bookshelf.

I want to kill the thief but I am powerless to do anything about it... Never mind, one day won't make any difference.

Chen Siyuan sighed inwardly, then looked up to see Hongyu approaching gracefully. As she approached, she frowned and said, "Master, it's strange to say, I just went to the East Courtyard and ran into Master Xue on my way back. I don't know why, but Master Xue asked me a few questions, then seemed hesitant to speak. Before he could finish his words, he just waved his hand and returned to Lixiang Courtyard."

Can't speak anymore?

Chen Siyuan glanced at Xiangling in the corner, frowned and thought, could it be that Dai Ba Wang has remembered Xiangling's kindness again?

(End of this chapter)