Dream of the Red Chamber

Chapter 96 Choosing Fengzao Palace
Poems as proof:

The fragrance of the dark night makes me excited, I can’t help it, the spring breeze at the cave entrance turns shallow and deep. The green trees turn into green waves in the wind, and the red flowers bloom in the rain.

Several times, the pillow is filled with double jade, and every moment in the palace is worth ten thousand gold. You and I are greedy for this pleasure, even the gods would be ecstatic if they came here.

After a few spring breezes, when the clouds had dispersed and the rain had stopped, Madam Xing leaned against Chen Siyuan's chest. Her face, still tinged with the lingering beauty of the past, looked white and tinged with pink. Her fingers were still rubbing circles on his chest. She wore only a pea-green bellyband and knee-length panties.

A pair of plump, diamond-shaped feet with nail polish painted on them were wrapping one of the big feet and rubbing it slowly.

"What—" Mrs. Xing started to speak, but her voice became hoarse. She cleared her throat and recovered a little before saying, "What time is it?"

Chen Siyuan hummed weakly, "Who cares?"

Mrs. Xing said, "He has a Western pocket watch on him. Take a peek at it."

Chen Siyuan hummed and shifted his body, holding his waist and slipping on his shoes. He squatted down and found the pocket watch in Jia She's sleeve pocket. He took a look at it and calculated: "It's just past the hour of Chou."

"It's already this late?" Mrs. Xing exclaimed in surprise, then asked in panic, "When will he wake up?"

Chen Siyuan turned around and got into bed carelessly, resting his head on his arms and said, "You've used up the whole pack. I don't think you'll be able to wake up until dawn."

Mrs. Xing felt a little relieved, then gently pounded his chest again, saying angrily, "You're like a wild bull! I'm still in pain!"

Chen Siyuan laughed jokingly, "Oh? I didn't know who it was just now—"

"You can't say that!"

Madam Xing reached out and covered his mouth, but Chen Siyuan opened his mouth and bit the plump palm.

Mrs. Xing screamed and bit his arm.

"Hiss, you belong to the dog family!"

Seeing that he was in pain, Mrs. Xing chuckled and let go.

After a while, she asked, "Lian'er will be back in a few days. Did the master ask you about your plans last time?"

"I asked...did he tell me his plans privately?"

Madam Xing said disdainfully, "You're obsessed with money. You told me your nephew was thoughtful and wanted to help you with your affairs. Tsk tsk, who doesn't know he's got his eyes on the Lin family's hundreds of thousands of dollars in assets?"

Seeing Chen Siyuan was unmoved, Madam Xing asked in surprise, "Aren't you concerned about the hundreds of thousands of dollars in property?"

Chen Siyuan smiled and said, "As for money, I believe I can earn it with my own ability. If I can really marry Daiyu, that would be a great opportunity."

"How to say?"

Chen Siyuan shifted to lie on his side and lowered his voice, saying, "The Lin family has been a family of nobles for generations, and Lin Ruhai was the hand-picked third place in the imperial examination. If he really married Daiyu, the connections her father left behind would be enough for me to enjoy endlessly." He paused, sighed, and sat up again, saying, "But that's probably wishful thinking. This matter will probably need to be discussed between the Jia family and Jia Yucun."

Mrs. Xing also said, "Daiyu is of noble birth. You... unless you pass the imperial examination and become a Jinshi, forget it." After a pause, she added, "With so many girls in your family, don't you have any eyes for others? Yingchun and Baochai are both about your age."

There were some things Chen Siyuan couldn't say to Madam Xing, so he just shook his head and said, "Let's wait and see."

He only had a limited understanding of the Jia family. For example, why did Jia Jing retreat to a Taoist temple outside the city? He was a legitimate Jinshi. The Ningguo Mansion was a major family. If Jia Jing were around, how could they allow the Ningguo Mansion to act recklessly?

But this person had gone to a Taoist temple outside the city to avoid disaster. What disaster was he avoiding? Could it be that the Jia family was involved in some serious lawsuit?

Jia, Shi, Wang and Xue are of the same blood, and the four kings and eight dukes have frequent contacts. The only way for Jia Jing to avoid disaster is to expose the truth!

I vaguely remember that in the Cheng Gao version, the Jia family's property was confiscated in the end. For the sake of my own future, wouldn't it be self-destructive if I became too deeply involved with the Jia family?
Another example is Wang Ziteng's relationship with the Jia family. He rises high up the ladder, yet in the book he's elusive, ultimately dying from the wrong medicine... Ridiculous, isn't it? Was the wrong medicine used intentionally?
These mysteries are still unknown. Besides, he could only enter the Imperial College next year, so how could he dare to hope to marry a noble lady?

For a moment, Chen Siyuan was confused, and then he became full of confidence.

He didn't know that this scene, seen by Madam Xing, actually made her heart ache. Rubbing her hand on his chest, Madam Xing soothed him, "You're still young, so wait a few more years before you get married. If you do pass the imperial examination one day, there will be countless candidates looking for a husband. Who knows, you might catch the eye of some noble person."

"Yeah." Chen Siyuan yawned, then stood up, holding his waist and said, "It's getting late, I should go back."

Madam Xing's eyes were as charming as silk, and she smiled with her hands covering her mouth. "I let you show off your prowess just now. Now you know how powerful I am, don't you?"

Chen Siyuan said angrily, "You good Yudie, it's obvious that you are asking for too much, and now you are blaming me."

Madam Xing ignored his teasing and, while straightening his clothes, whispered, "You must study hard. The master said that those who have been imprisoned in the Imperial College for three years can be released to fill an official position. The second house's disciple, Fu Shi, is from the Imperial College. The second house spent a lot of effort to get him a position. In just a few years, he is now a sixth-rank official. When you graduate from the Imperial College, please ask the master for help. Who knows, you may be able to get a good position too."

Chen Siyuan reached out and lifted her plump chin, saying with a smile, "You look down on me? I'm just a student, so I'm afraid the limit is the fourth-rank prefect. I still have to be an official in the future. Just wait and see, I can finish my studies at the Imperial College in a year or two, and then I'll pass the imperial examination and become a candidate for the Imperial Academy."

Seeing his nonsense, Mrs. Xing also laughed and said, "Very good, if you really enter the imperial court, then when the child is older, I will ask him to worship you as his teacher."

Seeing Madam Xing caressing her belly with one hand, Chen Siyuan didn't say anything to spoil the fun - even though he had calculated the date, the chances of having sex now were just a little higher than usual, so how could he possibly hit the target in one go?
Two coughs were heard from the west end room, and Mrs. Xing's face suddenly became serious. She dared not say anything and just kept giving Chen Siyuan a look. Chen Siyuan endured the pain in his waist and moved Jia She, who looked like a dead pig, to the head of the kang. Then Mrs. Xing sent him away.

Chen Siyuan tiptoed to the west room to take a look, and seeing that the two maids were still sleeping soundly, he opened the door and slipped back.

Mrs. Xing first took off Jia She's clothes, then slipped into the west room to arrange the two maids, and then returned to the kang to breathe a sigh of relief.

There was no conversation that night. Mrs. Xing felt that she had only slept for a while when she was awakened by a noise beside her.

When he opened his eyes, he saw Jia She groaning and holding his waist.

Did he catch a cold while lying on the ground? What a coincidence!

Madam Xing groaned and lazily stood up, then said angrily, "Master, too. He doesn't care about anything after drinking a little wine. I feel like I have no bones in my body now."

Jia She blinked, looked at Mrs. Xing, and thought to himself...Did he go crazy last night?
I sniffed, and sure enough, the scent was faint. Plus, my back ached so much, I figured it must be that way. Tsk, Ma Dao Po's wine is good, but I just can't remember much after drinking it.

He mumbled a few words to get by, then took out his pocket watch and checked it. Seeing that it was already past the hour of Mao, Jia She frowned and said, "It's already this late? Why haven't the maids or old women come to serve?"

At that moment, a creaking sound was heard, and a slight cold wind blew in. Miao'er walked in, sleepily saying, "Master, the maids drank last night and just woke up now. Also, Master Yuan said it was snowing all night and it's not a good time to set off hastily, so he sent me to tell you that it would be better to leave at noon."

"Hmm..." Jia She responded, stood up, put on his clothes and fell to the ground. When he reached the bed and opened the window, he saw three inches of snow in the yard. Fortunately, the wind and snow had covered Chen Siyuan's footprints overnight, otherwise he would have been exposed at this time.

A cold wind blew, and Jia She shivered. He quickly closed the window and said, "Go tell Yuan'er not to set off in a hurry. Send someone to pave the official road first, so that the carriage won't get stuck in the snow." (Note 1)

Miao'er agreed, turned around and went to pass on the message, so he didn't mention it. Turning around, Jia She sat down on the kang and said, "Aiya," "After all, I'm getting old. In the past, I couldn't even toss and turn all night without my waist hurting. Come on, give me a massage."

Mrs. Xing responded, came over to give him a gentle thrashing, and sneered to herself at Jia She's back. She thought to herself, "Why are you bragging when you can't even figure out what happened last night?"
It was past noon that day when the group finally set out for the capital. Because the roads were covered with snow, the carriages and horses moved very slowly, and they rested along the way. By the time they returned to Rongguo Mansion, it was already night.

Jia She, as expected, had no suspicion of his own and only went to Mrs. Xing to ask for a few purple bamboos, which he then secretly gave to several concubines and maids. Mrs. Xing felt a little relieved when she saw this, but she inevitably became more courageous the next day.

Chen Siyuan returned to his own courtyard, where he was greeted by his maids, Yunxiang and Hongyu. Having not seen her for several days, Yunxiang chattered incessantly, first about a young nun looking for Qin Zhong, then about how Qin Ye had beaten Qin Zhong in anger and then died of anger himself; then she told him that Qin Zhong had been beaten and was now unable to get up, and Baoyu was clamoring to go and see him, but was repeatedly stopped by Lady Jia and Lady Wang, nearly causing Baoyu to lose his temper again...

Hongyu raised her eyes and saw Chen Siyuan holding his waist and frowning, so she quickly sent the noisy Yunxiang away.

Once inside, Hongyu thought Chen Siyuan had twisted his waist while riding, so she quickly found a hot towel to apply to him. She then whispered, "Master, Wu'er was going to come today, but he suddenly got cold the day before yesterday. I don't know how he caught a cold, so he didn't come."

Chen Siyuan said vaguely: "No rush, let's wait until she recovers."

After saying that, he fell asleep not long after. Hongyu carefully undressed him, found a wet towel, wiped his face, and then withdrew with a pursed smile, thinking that Chen Siyuan really didn't care about Liu Wu'er. Then she twirled her fingers through his hair and tilted her head shyly, thinking, "We've been so close for so long, and I've eaten Rouge, but I wonder when my master will take me in. Then everything will be complete..."

Three days passed in a flash, and it was the eleventh day of the winter month, which was Jia Zheng's birthday.

Chen Siyuan prepared birthday gifts in advance and went to celebrate Jia Zheng's birthday early that morning. That afternoon, the Ning and Rong families gathered in Rongqing Hall. A screen separated the women in the middle, and several tables were set up. Two troupes of small opera performers were invited to entertain, and the music and music made the atmosphere lively.

Chen Siyuan returned to the side with the male guests. He could not see Baochai, Sanchun and others through the screen. He was only drinking with Jia Zhen and Jia Rong.

He stole a glance and saw that Jia Zhen's face was no longer worried; he was just smiling and raising his glass to invite them to drink. Jia Rong was even more useless. He looked at the maids in Jia Mu's room with a pair of sneaky eyes, examining them here and there, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

In the midst of the bustle, a maid suddenly stumbled in and replied, "Old Madam, Master, Master, Master Xia, the eunuch of the six palaces, is here to deliver an imperial decree!"

The female members of the family exclaimed in surprise. Looking at the situation, Jia Zheng looked puzzled, Jia She frowned, Jia Zhen was terrified, and Jia Rong was stunned and at a loss.

Jia Zhen stood up and said, "This... now we should..."

Jia She said, "The opera has stopped, and the banquet has been cleared. Let's go to the front and take a look."

Jia Zheng sighed, "This is a blessing, not a curse. We must not neglect the angel. Let's go and welcome him!"

Jia Zhen also came to his senses and hurriedly ordered, "Quick, Eunuch Xia is here. This time he must have an imperial decree. Go and set up the incense table."

At that moment, several people went out to greet them. Chen Siyuan didn't want to stay in Rongqing Hall, so he thought about it and followed Jia She.

After passing through the hanging flower gate, they arrived at the Xiangnan Hall. Jia Zheng then ordered the middle gate to be opened to welcome the angel.

At this time, an incense table had been set up outside the ceremonial gate, and the middle door was wide open. Eunuch Xia was seen leading a group of eunuchs on horseback approaching.

When he arrived at the eaves, he came down on horseback, and he was no longer seen carrying the imperial edict. He was only seen smiling as he went straight to the Xiangnan Hall, where he delivered a spoken order: "Special order: Summon Jia Zheng to the court immediately and have an audience with His Majesty in the Linjing Hall."

Jia Zheng hurriedly knelt down to receive the order: "Your Highness Jia Zheng obeys the order!"

Eunuch Xia smiled and nodded, then bowed to the others and said, "I still need to report to the Saint, so I won't be here for long."

"Ah, Chief Eunuch Xia, wait a moment." Jia She came forward and waved his hand to signal the maid in the hall to bring the tray over. Jia She smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, eunuch. A little tea is not a token of respect. But I wonder... what exactly is the matter that the sage has passed on to my second brother?"

Eunuch Xia raised his chin, and a eunuch took the tray. He then flicked his whisk and said, "General Jia, how can the emperor's mind be unpredictable? We are only here to convey the emperor's orders, and know nothing else. I think it would be best for the general to wait for news at home... maybe it's good news? Huh? Hahahaha - I'll be leaving first, everyone stay."

Jia Zhen hurriedly added, "I'll see you off, eunuch."

Jia She came to his senses and went to see him off. When the two returned, Jia Zhen said, "This eunuch Xia didn't say a word... What on earth did he want to see my second uncle about? Could it be the Construction Department -"

Jia She glared at him and shook his head, saying, "Stop overthinking. Didn't Eunuch Xia just say that this might be a good thing?" He then looked at Jia Zheng and said, "There's no time to lose. Second brother, change your clothes quickly and go to see His Majesty."

Jia Zheng nodded, said nothing more, and hurried to the back to change his clothes.

In a moment, Jia Zheng had changed into his court robes and was riding in a sedan chair, bound for the Imperial City. The rest of the Jia family was in a state of panic, unsure whether this was a good omen or a bad omen, so Jia She dispatched his servants to the Imperial City on horseback to gather information.

At this time, the banquet in Rongqing Hall had been cleared away, but the screen in the middle had not been removed. Jia She, Jia Zhen, Jia Rong, Chen Siyuan and others were on one side, and the female members of the family were on the other side.

Chen Siyuan had been puzzled before, but now he finally remembered what was going on. He bowed to Jia She and said with a smile, "Congratulations to my uncle."

"Hmm? Where does the joy come from?"

Chen Siyuan then asked, "May I ask, uncle, what is the identity of Eunuch Xia?"

"All six palaces are eunuchs...hiss, what do you mean?"

Chen Siyuan nodded and said, "I think the eldest lady must have good news."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Then the little girl Xichun said, "Brother Yuan said that big sister has good news."

Aunt Xue said immediately, "Oh my god, it must be true! The eldest girl is either pregnant with a prince or has been promoted to a concubine. Oh my god, congratulations to the old lady and my sister!"

Mrs. Wang said, "It's hard to say for sure now. I think we should wait for the reply."

As soon as she finished speaking, a maid outside called out, "Old Madam, Chief Steward Lai has returned with the good news!"

"Huh? Quick, pass it!"

At this moment, no one cared about the difference between inside and outside. Yuanyang responded and went to lead the way personally. After a while, he led Lai Da to Rongqing Hall.

Lai Da, beaming, entered and knelt to announce the good news, "Old Madam, Great Master, Master Zhen, Great Madam, and Madams, we were only serving outside the Linjing Gate and were kept in the dark about what was going on inside. Later, Eunuch Xia came out to offer congratulations, saying that our eldest daughter had been promoted to Minister of Fengzao Palace and given the title of Consort Xian De. Later, Master came out and gave us the same instructions. Now, Master has gone to the Eastern Palace again and has instructed that Old Madam and the other ladies should be brought in to express their gratitude."

As soon as the words fell, there was a burst of congratulations. Grandmother Jia laughed a few times and said, "Rewards, all of them will be rewarded generously. Quick, help me put on my makeup, we must go and thank you!"

　Excerpts of original text are not considered paid content

　　Note 1: Those of you in the south may not have seen heavy snow. Let's put it this way: after a heavy snowfall, you can barely see the road, and you can't even distinguish the edges. So you need to have a servant on horseback to first trample out the outline of the official road.

　　Otherwise, even if the ground looks flat all around, you may be fine one step ahead but sink a meter deep the next.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)