Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 81 Tiekan Temple (Subscribe)
It was hard to say about the Rongguo Mansion, but within the east wing of the Rongguo Mansion, Madam Xing always had some say. As soon as the teacher arrived, Madam Xing got the news. Even afterward, the servants and maids reported everything that was said inside to Madam Xing.

She knew that Chen Siyuan was fine, and she felt relieved, so she couldn't help but come over to take a look.

If my nephew gets into trouble, why don't I, as his aunt, go and see what's going on? No one outside of the family can argue!

After thinking for a while, Mrs. Xing led two maids to the back, and happened to run into Liu Yan'er and Yuan Ge'er coming out of the room.

She felt jealous and couldn't help but look unhappy. So after she sat down, she looked stern, which scared Hongyu and Xiangling into thinking that the eldest lady was disgusted with their own master.

Chen Siyuan II was a man who could tell from Madam Xing's casual glance that the children were in good shape. He was secretly delighted. Was Madam Xing jealous?

After serving tea, he said, "Yan'er was originally a maid from the outer room. Later, my stepmother treated her harshly and found excuses to drive away all the maids around me. I had no choice but to move her into the inner room. I originally wanted to take her in after a few years, but who knew that there would be an unexpected situation——"

The subtext of this statement is that Chen Siyuan has nothing to do with Liu Yaner.

Mrs. Xing silently gathered her luck and after thinking for a while, she finally understood and her expression gradually relaxed.

Since there were several maids in the room, she couldn't say some things, so she could only say some polite words.

"Brother, I just asked your uncle about this matter, and he said that it's over. From now on, brother, stay home and study peacefully, and don't go out and cause trouble."

"Yes, that's what my uncle instructed just now."

Madam Xing added, "The recommendation from the governor of Ping'an Prefecture will arrive soon. This excellent student doesn't need to take the exam, but you should also work hard, lest you be imprisoned one day and bring shame to your uncle and me."

The Imperial College was divided into different academies, similar to those for poor students, ordinary students, and those admitted to Tsinghua and Peking University. There were monthly exams and quarterly exams. The top scorer in the monthly exam received one point, while those with excellent scores received half a point. Students who accumulated eight points within a year were considered graduates. Those with less than eight points were promoted to higher academies, while those who placed last three times in a row were demoted. If there was no further room to be demoted, they were expelled.

After that, one might wait for appointment as an official or take the imperial examination in the autumn, and so on.

Chen Siyuan is now only thinking about surviving, so why would he think about the Imperial College?

He secretly observed Madam Xing and saw that she was absent-minded while she was talking, glancing at him from time to time. Chen Siyuan knew that this woman was nagging just to see him more.

Chen Siyuan felt strangely, yet also deeply comforted. He vaguely remembered the original novel, which depicted Madam Xing as a greedy and foolish woman. Now it seemed she was greedy, yes, and somewhat foolish. But what man could resist a woman who felt no responsibility, whose heart and eyes were filled with thoughts of him, and who wanted to bear your children?
Perhaps some upright gentlemen would be ashamed of it, but Chen Siyuan is not a gentleman.

After feeling secretly happy, Chen Siyuan sighed inwardly, thinking that if he really couldn't escape in the future, he might as well leave some money for this woman, so that he would not let down their friendship.

Mrs. Xing chattered for a long while, drank two cups of tea, and when it was getting late, she led her maid back. Before leaving, she turned back and stared at Chen Siyuan at the door.

Mrs. Xing's departure made Chen Siyuan feel mixed emotions, and he couldn't calm down for a long time.

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

While the world was turbulent, the courtyard of the Rongguo Mansion was a rare place of tranquility. Chen Siyuan stayed out of the house, and one day he simply composed a couplet: "Tucked away in the small building, I feel at peace, regardless of spring, summer, autumn or winter."

A few days later, Madam Xing went to look for him twice more, but each time the old man from Wang Shanbao's house refused to leave. Not only Madam Xing, but even Chen Siyuan began to dislike the old man even more.

Time passed quickly, and on the 17th, Chen Siyuan took Xiangling, Hongyu, and Yunxiang, borrowed a carriage from the Rongguo Mansion, and went to the temple fair.

After strolling for half a day, everyone returned with great pleasure. Xiangling won a sable-skin cloak, while Hongyu and Yunxiang each received a gold- and silver-covered headpiece.

The next day, Chen Siyuan made an agreement with Xiangling and sent her to Ruzhou early in the morning of the 22nd.

On the night of the 21st, Hongyu was supposed to be on duty, but Xiangling didn't know how to persuade her, so she took over the night shift.

After carefully washing Chen Siyuan's feet, Xiangling poured water and washed herself. As she was about to enter the east side room, Xiangling hesitated again, turned around, found some powder, applied a little, and dabbed rouge on her lips, then walked in with a smile on her face.

When he got closer, he called out "Master" softly. Chen Siyuan looked up, and their eyes met, and then they stopped talking. For a moment, they embraced like mandarin ducks, and the brocade quilt was covered with red waves, so they didn't mention it.

When the clouds cleared and the rain stopped, Xiangling began to get close to him again.

Chen Siyuan laughed and said, "You are—"

Xiangling said aggrievedly, "Master...why don't you take me today?"

Chen Siyuan was stunned for a moment, suppressing his excitement. He raised his hand and gently patted her waist, saying with a smile, "Nonsense, how old are you? It's still too early."

Xiangling snorted and laid directly on Chen Siyuan's chest, saying quietly, "If Madam and Miss Bao hadn't stopped me that day, I would have been taken away two years earlier... How early is that?" She paused, then suddenly raised her eyes and said, "I don't know why, but thinking about leaving tomorrow, I feel very uneasy... Master, are you hiding something from me?"

The two of them had been together constantly these days, and Chen Siyuan already trusted Xiangling. While he was on high alert, he tried to conceal his anxiety. But with Xiangling, Chen Siyuan relaxed and couldn't help but reveal his true feelings.

Chen Siyuan blinked and said with a smile, "Yes, I'm short of money, so I just sold you for a good price."

Xiangling was stunned for a moment, then she covered her mouth and laughed foolishly, saying, "Master, you're just trying to fool me. I don't believe it."

Chen Siyuan lied, "That matter involves my future, and I can't leave, so I can only rely on you. Oh, it's hard not to feel uneasy when I think about it."

Xiangling said seriously, "Don't worry, sir. I will get it done even if it costs me my life!"

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "Well, I'll leave it to you then."

Xiangling agreed and looked at Chen Siyuan for a while. Suddenly, she smiled mischievously and slid down like a loach.

Chen Siyuan immediately took a breath of cold air and asked in surprise, "Why are you here again?"

Xiangling stammered after a long pause, "Tomorrow... I'll be leaving... Anyway, Master's got to be feeling down too... Why not indulge yourself now..."

Chen Siyuan had no choice but to comply. From time to time, he looked up and saw: Rouge dyed her beautiful red makeup, the half-opened mouth still smelled of jasmine. A sweet fragrance, who knows, attentively given to her lover in the tent.

Suddenly, Xiangling asked, "Master, do you want to try another method?"

"Oh." "Oh?" Xiangling blinked in confusion, then suddenly remembered the instruction in the study room. She immediately scolded him, "Master, you are so mean!"

It was a beautiful night in the courtyard, but unfortunately the night was short and dawn came in the blink of an eye.

Early in the morning, Hongyu and Yunxiang came in to help Xiangling pack her bags, and they saw that both Chen Siyuan and Xiangling looked as if they had not woken up yet.

The little girl Yunxiang didn't think much about it, she just thought that the master and servant had a deep affection for each other. The two talked for half the night before going to bed.

After everything was tidied up, Chen Siyuan, accompanied by Hongyu and Yunxiang, escorted Xiangling out the back door. A carriage had already parked outside, and Qian Feihu, dressed in a formal suit, was accompanying him, along with two hired porters.

In front of outsiders, Chen Siyuan didn't want to say much to Xiangling, so he stepped forward and whispered to Qian Feihu.

Several maids on this side were bidding farewell reluctantly. Hongyu was fine and felt a little relieved, but Yunxiang cried like a little kitten.

Xiangling was always kind and never lectured Yunxiang. Even when Yunxiang did something wrong, Xiangling would only teach her patiently and never say a harsh word. Compared to her, Hongyu was simply a villain!
Now that the gentle and amiable Sister Xiangling is gone, wouldn't Hongyu be the king of the courtyard? Thinking of the miserable future, Yunxiang burst into tears and walked forward, pulling Xiangling and saying, "Sister, after you find your family, you must come back as soon as possible."

Xiangling was also moved at this moment. She hugged Yunxiang, who was a head shorter than her, but glanced at Chen Siyuan and said, "Well, I, I will definitely be back early."

At this moment, Chen Siyuan turned around, and Xiangling wiped her tears as she let Yunxiang go. Chen Siyuan pulled a bulging brocade bag from his sleeve pocket and handed it to Xiangling, solemnly instructing her, "Open it after you pick up your mother. Remember this!"

"Well, don't worry, sir."

Chen Siyuan nodded and said nothing more.

Xiangling was about to get on the carriage when she suddenly remembered something. She turned around and hugged Hongyu tightly, murmuring some instructions in a sweet voice. It was unclear what she said, but Hongyu was surprised at first, then glanced at Chen Siyuan in panic, and a blush spread across her face.

After Xiangling gave her instructions, she turned around and got into the carriage. She then lifted the curtain and said goodbye to everyone.

Chen Siyuan and Qian Feihu said, "Let's go."

Qian Feihu nodded and called out. The coachman whipped the carriage and it started moving forward. Xiangling kept looking back as she watched the carriage gradually go away until it disappeared at the corner of the street.

Yunxiang was still sobbing at this moment. She came to Chen Siyuan and said, "Master... Sister, sister... when will you come back?"

Chen Siyuan said playfully, "Three to five months at the earliest."

He didn't say what would happen if it was slow, because unless something drastic happened, he and Xiangling would never come back in this life.

I just don’t know whether I will meet Xiangling again in the future or die.

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

In a blink of an eye, it was the night of the 24th, and it was the night for us to stay together.

Inside, two troupes of small opera performers and acrobats stayed with relatives, friends, and guests. Sister Feng took care of all the matters inside. Chen Siyuan sat in the front hall facing south, either welcoming guests or making inspections.

Jia Zhen, through Dai Quan's connections, managed to get Jia Rong a Dragon Guard post before the funeral. So the newly made memorial banner bore the following inscription: The coffin of the Qin family of the Jia family, a consort of the first-class Ningguo Duke, who was granted the title of Grandmother of the Great Shun Emperor and served as the imperial guard of the Forbidden City, and who lived a long and prosperous life.

By the morning of the 25th, the auspicious time had arrived.

Baozhu then came out in mourning clothes, and with the ceremony of an unmarried girl, she threw herself on the coffin and cried heart-wrenchingly.

At this time, Ba Gong and Jia's relatives and friends all came to send off the funeral. There were more than ten large sedan chairs, thirty or forty small sedan chairs, and more than a hundred carriages of various colors. Counting the various deacons, furnishings, and entertainments in front, the procession was so grand that it stretched for three or four miles!

There were various sacrificial sheds along the way; this time, even the Four Kings had sent people to offer their sacrifices. They hadn't gone far when the procession suddenly stopped. Chen Si, far away, could only see from a distance a large sedan chair parked at one of the sheds. Immediately, the steward hurried to find the owner of the house.

In a moment, Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Zhen and others came forward to greet the people in the sedan chair, exchanged a few words, and then called Baoyu forward.

Chen Siyuan thought to himself that this person must be Prince Beijing. Unfortunately, he was too far away to hear his voice clearly, and it was hard to tell if this person was the noble person who had been behind the screen that day.

The funeral procession paused for a long while before everyone returned to their places and set off again. Outside the inner city, there were sacrificial sheds set up by Jia Zheng, Jia She, and Jia Zhen's subordinates. This time, the funeral procession did not stop, but continued out of the city gate and headed straight west.

Chen Siyuan, having received Wang Xifeng's invitation, was busy taking care of everything. After walking for half a day, a steward suddenly came to look for him and said, "Master Yuan, there's a place to rest up ahead. Would you like to ask the Second Madam?"

Chen Siyuan nodded and rode back. He had first asked Mrs. Xing, Mrs. Wang, and the others, but they both said there was no need to rest. Then Chen Siyuan went to look for Sister Feng, who thought, "We've been traveling for half a day. I think some of the women need to rest and change clothes. Let's go quickly and return quickly. After we rest, we can catch up."

Chen Siyuan agreed and sent his servant to ask around. Soon, more than twenty carriages headed north and arrived at a farm in a short while.

Chen Siyuan went ahead and sent the manager to clear the area, drove all the men in the village to the back, and assigned a servant to look after them.

The next twenty or so carriages arrived at the farm one after another, and the maids and old women helped the women inside into the house to change clothes.

Chen Siyuan had just settled down when he turned around and saw Baoyu and Qin Zhong getting out of Fengjie's carriage. They said a few words to Fengjie and then went off to wander around laughing.

Chen Siyuan stared at Qin Zhong from afar, wondering if he knew the truth. He looked so heartless, it didn't seem like he knew.

After a cup of tea, when all the women had changed their clothes and relieving themselves, Chen Siyuan began to prepare for a new journey. The group sped up and soon caught up with the group ahead.

Now the funeral procession did not delay any longer and headed straight for Tiekan Temple.

Chen Siyuan then arranged the arrangements for the funeral, and later all the Jia family members were settled in Tiekan Temple, except for Feng Jieer, who was not convenient to go. She had previously agreed with Mantou Temple to reserve two rooms for them, so she said goodbye to her sisters-in-law and relatives, and took Baoyu and Qin Zhong to the Mantou Temple.

Seeing that everyone was settled, Chen Siyuan headed straight for the back where Madam Xing was staying. Once inside, Chen Siyuan exchanged a glance, and Madam Xing understood, frowning and exclaiming, "I nearly broke down walking all this way. Now my body aches everywhere. Nanny Wang, go get some hot water. Miao'er, go back and check on the food. Tiao'er, go get some oil paper. I see a cold draft coming in through the window."

Wang Shanbao's family, Miao'er and Tiao'er all agreed and got up to take care of their own things.

Chen Siyuan turned around and saw the three people leaving. He hurried to Madam Xing and stuffed a ball of paper into her hands, whispering, "Give this to Baozhu secretly and tell her to pass on a few words for me."

(End of this chapter)